christ child

Set in Wisconsin's Mayfair Mall, a little boy's wish to bring joy to his sick sister, Sarah, takes Santa on a journey to Children's Hospital. Inspired by the nativity story, Santa discovers the profound connection between ancient miracles and contemporary hope. Through prayers and promises, a Christmas miracle unfolds, intertwining the essence of faith, love, and the true spirit of the season. 

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In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone answer many questions surrounding the true 'reason for the season' including: Why did Jesus have to be born in the first place? Why did God send Jesus as an infant? Why send Jesus into a place that is so lowly? What was God's hope for creation in sending Jesus? What is God's glorious design in this Savior? Think about what your life would be if Jesus was never born? How is God at work in the moment of Jesus' birth? We are hoping that this is an opportunity to understand the reason God sent Jesus into the world.  

Special music by the chancel choir.

We reflect further on Jesus' incarnation - God made flesh - through the lens of themes introduced by our "visiting speaker," who told the Christmas story from a shepherd's point of view last Sunday. The chief feature of Jesus' birth is it's humility, but in that we find the assurance that His rescue is available to all people - not just those of certain station or birthright. We also are given the chance to uniquely relate to Him in His humanity, as He relates to us in ours. 

He is the king in disguise, out amongst his people in order to know them, just as Harry (in Henry V) dons a hood to move amongst his men. Jesus' has done more than toss a hood over His head. He is veiled in flesh. Hail the incarnate Deity. Please as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!

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Ari's older siblings each have a special gift to offer the newborn king. But what will Ari bring? 

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(Note: We're taking a break from the "Belonging to Him" series for the holiday season and will pick back up with Part 2 on January 17th. This week, you’ll be hearing the final sermon John shared from a 4-part Christmas series while pastoring a church in the country of Honduras.) One of the best ways to describe the birth of Christ is with the phrase, "But...God." It goes like this: the world was sinking deep in sin, but God entered into our world, became one of us, and joined us in our weakness and suffering so we could join him in eternal strength and joy. The light shines in the darkness and, because of the coming of Christ, the darkness will never overcome.

(Note: We're taking a break from the "Belonging to Him" series for the holiday season and will pick back up with Part 2 on January 17th. This week, you’ll be hearing the third sermon John shared from a 4-part Christmas series while pastoring a church in the country of Honduras.) In coming to the earth at Christmas, God fulfilled his dream to be with us and offer us the gift of being with him. Through the divinity and humanity of Jesus, our Emmanuel, we find a God who is eternal and everywhere present, but also present to meet every need that we have.

In todays episode, we’re going to look at the prophecy of A Child to Be Born to us; a child whose name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Silent Night is one of the most beloved carols of the Christmas season. 

Silent night, holy night
 All is calm, all is bright
 Round yon virgin Mother and Child
 Holy infant so tender and mild
 Sleep in heavenly peace
 Sleep in heavenly peace

It seems to epitomize the essence of Christmas. This hymn conveys the silence, beauty and peace at the heart of Christmas. Christmas celebrates our intuitive awareness of our innate union with God, which I call unitive awareness or nondual awareness. This is represented in the Christ child. The harsh patriarchal judge that is the usual symbol for God gives way to God as an infant, so fender and mild. The Tao te Ching uses this image for the Tao, comparing the Tao to a newborn child. 

God as an infant holy, infant lowly as another Christmas carol says. In the Silent Night, holy night of Christmas, we know that we are one with God in heavenly peace. For a moment we remember that this is our natural state, the Reality that we were born into and born from. This is true of every one of us, not just the Babe of Bethlehem.

A sermon for Oxford Baptist Church during our Christmas Eve Candlight and Communion Service.

Matthew 2:1-12 New Year's Eve Sermon