Church notes - December 2025

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7th
Isaiah 61
Proverbs 3:34

Humility
Depending on the LORD's mercy.
Unconcern for power, prestige

Isaiah 61
Proclaim the Good News
Proclaimation of the the year of the LORD's favour.
Announce the day of judgement.
Comfort all who mourn.

A window of opportunity.

Worldly Christmas priorities.
- Food
- Presents and Gifts
- Decorations and Celebration
- Holidays
- Singing Carols
- Sport

We should do as Jesus would do
Philippians 2:3 - 8


14th
Luke 1:36 - 55

Joy to the World

Luke 1:23 - 33
The visitation.

vs 45
Humble. Gr. Tapeienos
Shamefully low
Insignificant
Yet God chose her anyway.

All of us are lowely in comparison to God.

A Posture of Humility.

The song is intentional. Mary drew from the Old Testament.

There is similarity to Hannah's Song.
1 Samuel 2:1 - 10

God is continually working.

Holding onto the posture of humility
Hold to His character, not to your circumstances.

Deuteronomy 7:7 - 9

The Pharisees were right about Scripture, but wrong about God.

Praise in adversity.
1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17

Saturate yourself in Scripture
Be saturated in Scripture
Psalm 46:10, 11

Romans 8:38, 39


21st
Advent - Love
Matthew 2:1 - 18
Great Humility
Judea was under Roman control

Foreigners
Humble
Marginalised
Outsiders

The Shepherds and Wise Men came to worship Jesus

In worship I see how big God is and I also see in worship how small I am.

vs 11

1. I will worship God with a humble heart
2. I will worship God with a willing spirit
3. I will worship God in eager hope.

They brought gifts
Gold
Frankensense
Myrrh

Gold - Most precious and valuable metal
- A Kingly gift

Myrrh - Used for embalming the dead.

Herod used power to control and intimidate others.
Jesus used power to help others.
Jesus measured greatest in service of others.

Philippians 2:5 - 8

Contrast between Jesus and Herod

We should reflect on the power we have in our lives.

Jesus - He was willing to serve and to suffer for our salvation.

John 3:16


Christmas Eve
John 3:16

Isaiah 9:6, 7
John 8:12

Jesus was already great
John 1:1 - 5
The Word
Everything was created through Jesus

Circumstances
Mary wasn't yet married to Joseph
Joseph intended to deal with the situation quietly
But God intervened

Roman Census
Long journey to Bethlehem

Shepherds were considered the most common of people. But God sent angels to them anyway.
They were changed by the experience.

The Magi
Brought expensive gifts despite the possibility of bandits.

Herod
God warned Josepth and they fled to Egypt.

John 16:33

Jesus wants to be in our hearts and minds.


Christmas Day
Isaiah 9:6, 7
Luke 2:8 - 20
The shepherds undestood the need for sacrifice. They had seen sheep going off to the Temple for sacrifice.

Psalm 67

The shepherds went to be part of what was happening, and they spread the news.

Mary's reflections
- The Old Testament prophecies.
- Her immaculate conception.
- Her talk with Elizabeth
- The shepherds' visit.

It was the middle of the night when the angels appeared to the shepherds. Suddenly there was light.

Jesus came to bring mankind from the darkness of sin to the light of God's Kingdom through His sacrifice on the Cross.


28th
Psalm 103
Praise - An act of extolling God's attitude and deeds.
Thanksgiving - offering gratitude for what God has done.

vs 1
A total focus on God.

vs 2 - 5
Forgiving
Good
He satisfies
He heals
He renews strength

vs 6 - 18
Unfailing love
- without error or fault
- forgiving
- He is our Saviour
What does this look like for you?

The challenge - to focus totally on God.

What this Psalm says:
God is
- Good
- Forgiving
- Our redeemer
- Love
- Merciful
- Righteous
- Just
- Compassionate
- Tender
- Our Saviour
- Creator
- Ruler
- King