Baptized Into Christ

Hey, in case you didn't know, 2016 is a presidential election year (of course you knew that). This means that you need to be prepared for... commercial breaks dominated by political ads (use your DVR and skip commercials and listen to your mp3 player or CD's if at all possible to avoid the ads). politicians appearing on every platform possible (comedy shows, sporting events, making a Christmas album...okay let's hope they don't make a Christmas album). bumper stickers and bumper sticker style politics, which is among the lowest forms of political discourse.  disagreeing with friends and fellow Christians concerning political issues. That last one is a biggie, because when it comes to politics, Christians have often been as bad as non-Christians when it comes to attacking others. So here is some Biblical wisdom to apply in this election year. Don't take offense at what others post on Facebook or say about a candidate or issue. The vexation of a...

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 this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"  (Luke 2:8-14) As a child and in my years as a pastor, I have always heard this account through the lens of the shepherds.  Probably because I can readily relate to the shepherds as one in need of a savior and who rejoices as the announcement of th...