The Living Nativity

There is so much about Christmas that is not necessarily Christmas. Once you look past the lore to the real manger, you can meet Jesus in a vibrant way.

Mary, the mother of Jesus. We all know the story . . . or do we? Listen in on today’s episode that seeks to find the real Mary of the Bible.

The story of Joseph and Mary is full of echoes of the Old Testament. Not only do their lives move Israel’s story forward, but they also embody some of God’s biggest promises.

Why would a group of shepherds the first ones to hear about Christ’s birth? And what does that mean for you and me?

What was Bethlehem really like in the first century? Even though it was famous, this small town was often overlooked. And it turns out, this made it the perfect place for a king to be born.

The wise men journeyed from the East to find the King of Kings. Finally, they arrived in the small, back-country town of Bethlehem. What did they expect? Were they disappointed?

If you’ve ever seen or acted in a church Christmas play, you know what gifts the wise men offered Jesus. But why were they significant? More than symbolism, these offerings fulfilled an ancient Messianic prophecy.

Infanticide. It’s one of the most vile things you could possibly imagine, and it takes place in first few pages of the New Testament. What is there for us to learn from this often-ignored nativity story?

Not much is known of what took place between Christ’s birth and ministry. And yet one event that often gets overlooked was his first visit to Jerusalem … as a baby.

The details of the nativity are well known. A baby, a manger, a few shepherds, and some wise men. But why did Christ come to earth in the first place? The answer can be found in his most famous parable.