Prepare Him Room: Living the Wonder of Christmas

First Baptist Church, Angels Camp

App

Prepare Him Room: Living the Wonder of Christmas

Week 4, Day 1 - All things are possible

December 25, 2023 • Derek Hogg • Luke 1:37

Give

Has the Lord ever put something on your heart, or called you to act in faith which you thought that was impossible? Well, you are not alone! Moses thought it was impossible for him to speak to Pharaoh (Exodus 3-4). Jeremiah thought it was impossible for him to be a prophet because he was too young (Jeremiah 1:4-10).

Mary thought it was impossible for her to be pregnant with the promised Messiah since she had never been with a man. And yet, the angel Gabriel tells her in Luke 1:37, “Nothing will be impossible with God.”

God is all powerful and nothing is impossible with him. All throughout the Bible, we see all things are possible with him. God creating everything out of nothing; Jesus feeding five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish; even our salvation when we were powerless to save ourselves.

If God can do all these things, is there anything he cannot do in your life? The more we follow God and live for him, the more we see his power and how all things are possible with him – just as Moses, Jeremiah, and Mary did. So, this Christmas season, lets prepare Jesus room by believing that he can do all things and nothing is impossible for him!

Prepare Him Room: Living the Wonder of Christmas

December 29, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Luke 1:47

Watching young children open their presents on Christmas morning can be so enjoyable and entertaining. But it can also be a powerful reminder of having the right perspective in life. When a child opens that present, they can be absolutely captivated by this new gift, and then, within mere moments, move on to the next gift, almost as if they forgot about the previous one. In light of all that this life and this world has to offer, we too can succumb to a similar posture in which we become more captivated by what’s new and shiny. But consider Mary’s response in her song “The Magnificat” in Luke 1. She exclaims “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” All that she knew and all that she was experiencing in that moment thoroughly convinced her to rejoice in God’s plan of salvation in her life. What could we ever experience in this life that could offer us a better reason to rejoice than in the fact that we are saved by the grace of God? God’s plan of salvation was formed and fixed long before we ever came into existence, and it will stand true no matter how much we might get in the way. Praise God for his faithfulness and willingness to save…let us rejoice and be glad!

Prepare Him Room: Living the Wonder of Christmas

December 28, 2023 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Luke 1:46

As we survey the many individual stories found within the overarching Christmas story, there is little more impressive and convicting and encouraging than that of Mary and her response to the angel Gabriel. Maybe second only to the incarnation of our Lord, Mary’s song of praise, commonly known as the “Magnificat”, has stood the test of time as one of the most beautiful hymns in all of Scripture. In the opening line of this timeless hymn, Mary sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” What a worshipful proclamation of praise and thanksgiving in response to a miraculous turn events in the life of a young woman. But rather than focusing on herself, look at the perspective of young Mary. Her very soul – the essence of her being – magnifies God. She’s making much of God and his glory because she’s beginning to ponder and consider the providential and salvific love of God. This Christmas, we too have the opportunity to make much of Jesus. Whether through our worship, our service to others, our love, or a kind word, the very essence of our existence should remain resolute in magnifying the Lord while seeking his fame and glory! Let us magnify Christ this Christmas!

Prepare Him Room: Living the Wonder of Christmas

December 27, 2023 • Katie Baatrup • Luke 1:39–45

Family time is truly a time to rejoice and cherish one another. Your family, whether that's mom and dad, or a friendly couple from church, can be some of the most important people to have around during the Christmas season. It is necessary to see how fellowship within family can help spread the power of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 1:39-45, Mary visits Elizabeth, which helps us understand the importance of family time. Verse 41 says, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Mary’s visit with Elizabeth was so rewarding that Elizabeth even felt the Lord as she was greeted by Mary. We too can spread a joyful greeting to our families as we visit them this time of year. Take this family time as an opportunity to share the power of the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth continues in verse 43, “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Imagine how family time must have felt for Elizabeth and Mary, having the ability to celebrate what the Lord blessed them with that year. Let this be a reminder of the beauty of family time and how those experiences can bring encouragement and celebration with others.