With the economy, the border and foreign policy not working for them in this election cycle, Democrats are counting on the abortion issue to save their hides in November.

The purpose or goal of redemption is that we might glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

If you have your Bibles turn with me to Psalm 74. The circumstance of this Psalm is the Babylonian destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, one of the most cataclysmic events in the history of Israel.

“Donald, you’re not going to be able to insult your way to the presidency. That’s not going to happen.”

If you have your Bibles, I would invite you to turn with me to Psalm 73. This great Psalm is the story of a bitter and even a despairing search by a believer in Israel, which has now been rewarded far beyond all of his expectations.

The resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay after “facing national backlash for her administration’s response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and allegations of plagiarism in her scholarly work” does not solve the problem at America’s oldest college and other elite schools.

The passage in Matthew 2:1-12 about the Magi coming to worship Christ when He was an infant is a fascinating story. In verse 2, they come to Jerusalem saying,

If you have your Bibles I’d invite you to turn with me to Matthew chapter 28 verses 16 – 20. We finally come to the end of our study in the gospel of Matthew.

At the end of the year, we hear predictions about the future, many of which have been proven wrong – from the end of the world due to climate change, to the telephone is just a toy.

The passage we are looking at this week in Luke 2: 22-32 teaches us the consolation Simeon found in the coming of Christ. Simeon’s song is called “Nunc Dimittis,” or now released. Simeon says, “Now you are letting your servant depart in peace” (verse 29).

If you have your Bibles, I would invite you to turn with me to Matthew chapter 28 verses 11 – 15. As we approach this short passage, I want to focus your attention on three things.

The joke is told about a poll taker who asks about ignorance and apathy in the country. “I don’t know, and I don’t care,” says the respondent.

The song of Zechariah we find in Luke 1:67-79 is called “Benedictus,” meaning blessed. It begins with “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel.”

Admit it. Unless you received a big-ticket item for Christmas last year – such as a car – you likely have forgotten what was under your tree.

In one of the most famous editorials ever written, “Is There a Santa Claus?,” a little girl from New York was given the definitive answer to the question.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Isaiah 9:1-7 is a familiar passage to us during the advent season. We love to listen to a great choir sing verse 6 from Handel’s Messiah.

The worthies attending the United Nations COP28 climate summit in Dubai are mostly not eating meat.

If you have Bibles, I’d invite you to turn with me to Matthew chapter 27 verses 50 – 56.

If you watched the so-called “debate” between Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom (a presidential candidate in waiting),