During our worship service on Sunday, December 14, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, continued celebrating Advent, lighting the Shepherd candle–joy at the Savior’s birth. We read Luke’s account of the shepherds’ first hearing of Jesus’ birth.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about his child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2:8-11, 17
During the intercessory prayer we focused mainly on The Children’s Home in Bhogpur, India, especially praying for Redeemer’s sponsored kids. The Children’s Home is always in need of more sponsors and other support, so find information here about sponsorships.
Our senior pastor looked at Luke 2:1-7 again this week, especially focusing on Mary & Joseph’s inability to find any room. They may have knocked on many doors within Bethlehem of various cousins or in-laws, but no one would make room for a very pregnant Mary. What blessing would have come to the household willing to open its doors to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Finally Mary & Joseph ended up at an inn. Inns in those days would have been crowded with the poorest travelers, and no one at the inn took compassion on Mary & Joseph, forcing them to seek shelter in the stable, which would have been a cave attached to the inn for the animals. God in his sovereignty used sinful, selfish people to reject and turn away Mary & Joseph, making his Son’s birth even more humble in our human understanding. As we go through this Christmas season, how much room do we make for Christ? What place does Jesus have in our lives and in our hearts? Listen to the whole sermon here.
What a treat we enjoyed Sunday, December 7 during 
One of our 
Though most of our 
In our continuing series through Deuteronomy, we saw last week how God uses discipline in the lives of his people, so that our lives will look like the lives of God’s people should look. This past Sunday, November 9 we examined how God’s power will go against people within the community. We read Deuteronomy 11:1-7 and referenced Numbers 16, as we saw Korah and 250 other disgruntled leaders question the authority of Moses and Aaron–God’s appointed leaders–and basically ask, “Who do you think you are?”