The Expected and Unexpected King Jesus (Matthew 2:19-23)

We just celebrated Christmas with the birth of King Jesus in the town of David, Bethlehem. Surely, he is to be raised there and rule with strength as any king would. But instead, he is sent away from Bethlehem to a town of nowhere called Nazareth. Was this God’s plan gone wrong?! This week our passage tells us that this is the expected plan and that Jesus of Nazareth (not Bethlehem!) is the Messiah who has come to redeem the world. We hear how Jesus saves thru weakness and humility, with implications of what it means to live as a Nazarene in our Christian lives. 

The King at War (Matthew 2:13-18)

Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ's coming, give gifts, and spend time with family and friends. But that's not all. There is a darker part of the Christmas story that is often overlooked or avoided, because it doesn't seem to fit in with all of the rejoicing of the holiday season. But this piece of the story--our passage this Sunday--illumines the reality of our world and the purpose of Christmas perhaps more than all of the others. Jesus, the King of Light, came to fight and defeat the powers of sin and darkness in our world and our hearts.

Which King Do You Worship? (Matthew 2:1-12)

Christmas is an event that brings joy to many today, be it the decorations, the carols, the family reunions or the good food. However, the event by which Christmas celebrates was very polarizing to those around Jesus. This Sunday, we'll see how different people responded to the birth of the true King, with implications for our own responses to Him.