The New Testament offers profound responses to Christ’s birth: angels proclaim “good tidings of great joy,” shepherds glorify God, Magi worship, and Simeon declares his peace in seeing the Messiah. Why such rejoicing? Isaiah 9 foretells the significance of this child: He will rule with wisdom as our Wonderful Counselor, with power as our Mighty God, with eternal care as our Everlasting Father, and bring true peace as our Prince of Peace. This Christmas, may we echo the joy of Isaiah’s proclamation, declaring, “To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.”

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In 1785 Rabbie Burns, one of Scotland’s most celebrated poets, wrote “To a Mouse,” inspired by his accidental destruction of a mouse’s nest. In this poem, Burns reflects on the frailty of human plans and the sorrow of life without hope, poignantly contrasting the mouse's present-focused existence with his own grief and fear of the past and future. For the Christian, however, the message of Christmas replaces grief and fear with the everlasting hope, joy, and peace found in Jesus Christ, who came to redeem and dwell with us forever.

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Pastor Rob reflects on Pastor Kyle’s godly character. Like Paul in 2 Corinthians, Pastor Kyle’s humility and grace are evidence of God’s sanctifying work, often through the very weaknesses and afflictions that reveal Christ’s power. Let us be encouraged to embrace our own thorns, trusting in the Lord’s sufficient strength made perfect in our frailty and trials.

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Martin Rinkart (1586–1649) was a German Lutheran pastor whose entire ministry took place in his hometown of Eilenburg during one of the most devastating periods in European history—the Thirty Years’ War. For 30 of his 31 years as pastor, he served amidst war, famine, and plague. Despite these overwhelming hardships, in 1636 Rinkart wrote a prayer of thanksgiving for his children that became the hymn Now Thank We All Our God—a timeless reminder of gratitude even in the darkest of times.

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George Matheson, a Scotsman born in Glasgow in 1842, faced profound trials early in life, including total blindness by age 20 and the heartbreak of a broken engagement. Despite these hardships, Matheson pursued pastoral ministry and wrote the cherished hymn O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, inspired by the enduring love of God amid his personal struggles. This hymn, a testament to God's immutable and everlasting love, continues to remind believers of the faithfulness and sacrificial love of Christ.

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It’s easy to take the Lord’s gifts for granted, particularly the gift of elders who care for our spiritual well-being. In His kindness, God has appointed qualified men to shepherd us, guarding, guiding, and feeding our souls with wisdom and understanding. In the ARP, both ruling elders and teaching elders serve as spiritual overseers, not merely to conduct church business but to nurture our faith—what a gift to thank Him for!

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God’s authority surpasses all political landscapes, and His kingdom endures while nations rise and fall. Regardless of who holds office, every leader is established by God, and we are called to honor them and pray for them as Scripture instructs. While we may engage with the political realm, our ultimate allegiance lies in God's eternal kingdom, as we are set apart to proclaim His excellencies.

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Though the nations rage and strive against the Lord and His Anointed, Jesus stands immovable, unwavering like a lighthouse amidst stormy seas. As His people, we too face resistance from those who rebel against God, yet we find refuge in the strong tower of Christ. With countless trials around us—whether personal struggles, societal upheavals, or global unrest—our confidence remains firm, for God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble.

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Some have questioned whether Christ Covenant is under satanic attack or even cursed, given the many hardships experienced by the church lately. While we acknowledge the reality of spiritual warfare, we can rest assured that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and Satan can only do what God permits. Though trials may come, we can confidently say that we are not cursed but blessed, and all things are being worked for our good, even in seasons of hardship.

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In Philippians 4:6, Paul encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but this can feel overwhelming since it often only takes one thing to unsettle us. Along with bringing our worries to God in prayer, Jesus also reminds us to take life one day at a time. Instead of focusing on the days and years to come, we can trust God to give us the grace we need for today, handling each day’s troubles as they come.

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Job's declaration, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him," is a profound statement of faith, even in the midst of suffering. While his wife urged him to "Curse God and die," Job's trust in God remained unshaken, even when it seemed God Himself was against him. His example challenges us to place our hope in the Lord, not only in moments of blessing but even in the darkest trials.

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In times of deep sorrow and loss, how should we respond? This week, we turn to the story of Job—a man who endured unimaginable grief yet learned profound truths about God's sovereignty. Through Job’s suffering, we are reminded that God's will doesn't always guarantee our earthly comfort and is often beyond our understanding. But we can take comfort in knowing that He is always wise, good, and worthy of our trust.

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Every Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare, with Satan and his evil forces targeting our hearts and minds (Eph. 6:10-20). The devil is especially focused on attacking the officers of the church, understanding that by targeting them, he demoralizes the entire church. Though it is disheartening when church leaders fall into sin, we must continue praying for them and remember that Christ has already won the ultimate victory.

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Have you ever considered what God’s ultimate purpose is? Scripture reveals that God’s chief end is His own glory, and everything He does, from creation to redemption, is for this purpose. From His dealings with Israel to the coming of Christ, and even in our daily lives, God's glory is the central focus, and we too should be committed to glorifying Him in all that we do. Soli Deo Gloria!

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Salvation comes through the person and work of Jesus Christ, whom we receive by the gift of faith alone, not through any effort of our own. Scripture teaches that it is by God's grace that we are saved, and even the faith to believe is a gift from Him, not something we can produce ourselves. Our faith is in Christ alone, the only one who can justify us, and we must resist any temptation to think we contribute to our salvation in any way.

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We live in a world that promotes the belief in humanity's inherent goodness. However, the Bible teaches a different, humbling truth: we are, by nature, slaves to sin, with hearts that are deceitful and incapable of seeking God on our own. This doctrine of total depravity may be offensive to human pride, but for Christians, it is a reminder of the pure, unearned grace by which we are saved, chosen by God not because of our worth, but because of His sovereign love and mercy.

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The Bible is God's very Word, breathed out by Him and delivered through men inspired by the Holy Spirit. If we truly believe this, it challenges us to consider where the Bible is positioned in our lives—whether it is central and guiding us like a lamp in darkness or merely sidelined. The Bible is not just a book; it is the light by which we see and know God. It should be kept bright and central in our lives, guiding us and our children in truth and life.

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The Sabbath is a day set apart by God for rest and worship, urging us to pause from our daily routines and focus on Him. Scripture emphasizes that we should turn away from our own pursuits to delight in God's presence and honor His holy day. Observing the Sabbath is not only an act of obedience but also a source of spiritual refreshment and a powerful testimony of faith in a culture driven by busyness.

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The influences that shape our children's beliefs and values will come from somewhere, whether it's media, peers, or educators. As parents, it's our responsibility to ensure that our children are not conformed to worldly standards but are transformed through the renewing of their minds, guided by the Word of God. Regular family worship offers a powerful opportunity to instill truth in our children, helping to shape their minds by knowing and living out God's Word.

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Why do we worship as we do? Our aim is not to entertain people but to glorify God, so we look to His Word to determine the elements of our worship. By faithfully adhering to these biblical principles, we believe we will both honor Him and experience true flourishing.

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