Luke 1:18-20, NIV Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:34-37, 45, NIV “How will this be,” Mary asked

John 3:16, NIV For God so loved [emphasis mine] the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The motive of Christmas was love. God loves you. I don’t know how old you are reading this today, but there is never an age in our lives when this ceases to be one of the most vital truths—if not the most vital truth—of our lives. The purpose of the birth of Christ was multi-faceted, but the motive was l

Daniel 9:3-5, ESV Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “ O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments , we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. Just like Esther, Daniel rose up by going low—by