Everyday Truth with Kurt Skelly

A good name is better than great riches.

Luke 2:21-24

You probably recognize that proverb, don't you? But did it ever occur to you that it is a perfect description of the baby Jesus? He was born into a very poor family (you'll learn that today), and yet received the greatest name of all time--a name to which every knee shall bow and very tongue shall confess!

Check it out!

Luke 2:15-20

How many great offers have we squandered in life simply because we were unwilling to check them out? Perhaps we buy into the "it's too good to be true" mentality... The shepherds didn't make that mistake! They immediately began the search for the baby Jesus to see for themselves what the angel had told them, and they weren't disappointed!

Christmas Eve. No candlelight needed!

Luke 2:8-14

Personally, Christmas Eve is my favorite service of the year! I especially love the music, the reading of the Christmas story, the family feel, and the candlelight atmosphere. But did it ever occur to you that the very first Christmas Eve service required no candles whatsoever? The entire hillside was lit up for an overcrowded announcement! What a night! What a Savior!

 

The book is always better than the movie.

Luke 2:6-8

If you've ever read a book and then seen its movie, you know exactly what my title means! When one really pays attention to the Christmas story and considers each detail presented, he comes away with a picture remarkably different than that of the stereotypical manger scene. Have a listen and see if your own perspective isn't challenged a bit today! 

God rules the rulers.

Luke 2:1-5

At surface glance it would appear that Joseph and Mary were little pawns in the Roman Empire machine. A poor couple forced to make an arduous trip while on the verge of having a baby, all for the purpose of census-taking and tax-giving--how unfair! But there was a far deeper and more powerful purpose, wasn't there?

 

Like father, like son.

Luke 1:67-80

One of the most theologically rich messages recorded about Jesus is the message preached by the father of John the Baptist. God chose this wonderful older man to be the one who would mentor and teach the forerunner of Messiah. John would be in good hands! He learned to point to Christ, in part because he had father who pointed to Jesus!

What do you say when you've had 9 months to think about it?

Luke 1:56-66

For doubting, Zacharias was mute for the entirety of Elisabeth's pregnancy, and even 8 days after! When the auspicious day came for the naming of the baby, Zacharias's tongue was loosed and he made a simple yet profound declaration about his son. The doubt was gone and the wonder of God's plan had settled into the heart of this saint of God!

Mary the Theologian!

Luke 1:49-56

One of the remarkable characteristics of Mary was her biblical literacy and theological understanding! Not bad for a poor girl without formal education who was probably a teenager... Nor was her understanding dry and dusty! Read the passage yourself and sense the warm emotion Mary had for the Lord and for His Word.

Mary the Poet

Luke 1:46-48

Mary was no ordinary teenager! Of course you knew that already. Highly favored and blessed among women, God chose her to be the mother of the Lord Jesus. But the poem of praise that she exclaimed to Elisabeth reveals a depth of character and knowledge that's pretty astounding!

 

Trust but verify!

Luke 1:39-45

When I visited the Reagan library a couple of years ago, I saw a sign with the words, "Trust but verify" on the replica of his desk in the oval office. And the wonderful thing about the truth is that it will always bear the scrutiny of verification. Mary verified Gabriel's words by heading down to Elisabeth's house. There she received more than enough verification that God's Word was indeed coming to pass! Find out how.