sure, you can turn water into wine, but why would you?

 The first miracle Jesus performed was to change water into wine (Jn 2). This miracle saved the reputation of the hosts and probably saved the servants from being punished for not having enough wine on hand. John calls the miracle a 'sign,' but we might wonder is this a sign of Jesus's concern with each person's dignity or is it a sign that He can provide more than we even ask for? 

Big Guy and the Baptistry

 When Jesus was baptized, God testified who Jesus was (His Son - Luke 3), and so Christian baptism provides an opportunity for the candidate to say who Jesus is and state their faith in Christ. While this is a beautiful picture of Christ's work in us, it is only the beginning. Saved by faith through grace, Christians are now called to live out the gospel in our communities by demonstrating the love and care of Jesus.

Jesus GPS

 The universal nature of the gospel was demonstrated when wise men came from the East to worship Jesus (Matthew 2).  While they were not part of the national, ethnic, or religious backgrounds associated with Jesus or His family, they learned of His coming and how to find Him by following the light of a star. Are you a light that demonstrates the love of Christ and draws strangers to Jesus?

What are YOU doing?

 When Mary and Joesph find the 12-year-old Jesus in the midst of a group of religious scholars, Mary asks, why did you do this? (Luke 2) Although Jesus does obey Mary and follows her back to the family, we might consider His words in this story and ask ourselves, are we learning, teaching, and growing in a place that encourages us to become more like Jesus, or are we simply getting on with our lives?

Christmas of Me

This Christmas season, it might be easy to see our friends and family make the holidays all about themselves. But all of us tend to tend to rewrite Christ's story (Luke 2) in ways that support our political or social views. We may even do this without realizing it. How do your presuppositions tailor Christ's life and teachings to better support your own views on society and politics?

Helping Hand...or...NOT?

 Christians universally look to a time of absolute peace and combability (Isaiah 11). We might be tempted to wait for Jesus by abandoning the call to love our neighbor and dismantle systems of power that cause pain and suffering. However, Jesus warned us of those who do not 'wait' with their "lamps" burning bright (Matt 25). Does your waiting include good works, or do you simply say you are waiting?

Sure, I'll repent...of what?

 John the Baptist condemned his audience for their sins and called them to repent (Luke 3). While the sins are not named, the remedy is to remember God and who He is. How had they forgotten God? Do we consider the great sin of Israel their lack of temple attendance, or do we recognize the Old Testament prophet's call through John as a need to cast off greed and provide relief to those suffering around us?