For the Early Church, the comma between the birth and death of Jesus in the Apostle’s Creed wasn’t an oversight - it was assumed that the Church was laid on the foundation of the life and teaching of Jesus. However, that same assumption can't be made over the past 2000 years of church history. The church has, at many times, abandoned the simple teaching and ethics of Jesus and has exchanged it for theological or philosophical truth about Jesus. For us it is wise to focus on the comma and repeatedly return to the life and teaching of Jesus to keep us centred on what matters.

"There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan." - C.S. Lewis

During His earthly ministry Jesus demonstrated authority over Scripture, authority over evil spirits, authority over nature, authority over sickness, and authority over sin. As the disciples followed Jesus, their eyes were opened to the limitless nature of His authority. Instead of operating as “a lord” He was operating as “THE Lord” but even this wasn’t fully formed until after His death & resurrection.

Christianity isn’t an irrational leap into trust, but an invitation to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Belief is meant to move you to experience, and this experience will lead you to deeper trust. When we recite the Creed, we commit ourselves to believing, but also to tasting, experiencing…

Faith that isn’t connected with ancient Christianity becomes untethered from the strong foundations that Jesus and the apostles established. Doctrine that isn’t connected with ancient faith, can become influenced by current philosophy, culture, and thought and can lead us away from truth by placing emphasis in things other than what is foundational. These belief systems can border on becoming individualistic…

We have talked about how we experience the themes of Christmas, HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE through Jesus’ first advent, but how each of these themes are sadly muted from our reality today. We experience them in some way, but they are sometimes overshadowed by sin and our broken world. We experience them in part, but a day is coming when we will experience them fully…

Since the gift isn’t a thing, but a person, the gift is given as an invitation into relationship. God invites us not to just enjoy a disembodied blessing, but to enjoy relational closeness with Himself. He wants us to come and experience Him, to enjoy His closeness, to enjoy life as He created it to be …

The story of the first advent is a story of the reversal of fortunes which results in JOY for the humble… God notices the lowly, raises up the humble, forgives the sinner, and rewards the righteous. While the proud, powerful, and prosperous may experience circumstantial happiness, they will miss out on the deep satisfaction of joy that comes from positioning ourselves under the care and control of the God of heaven… When the story ends, and Jesus returns to establish His eternal Kingdom, peace, joy and love will be given freely to those who humble themselves before God…