We’ve mostly looked at one prophecy or prediction about Jesus this week, about his virgin birth and being God in the flesh (incarnate).  But Jesus fit many other predictions as well, some of them relating to his birth.

He was born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2.      But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 ESV)

He was a refugee in Egypt.

Hosea 11:1 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Together, they all form one picture.

The rightful king of Israel is God himself, he’s come to earth to fulfill the promise that Abraham’s descendents would bless the entire world.  Jesus is a descendent of Abraham and King David.  Jesus did this in dying for the entire world’s sins, and reigns now over his kingdom, which is coming in its fullness.

God has come to us, when we couldn’t get to him.

God has given us the gift of grace, when we have nothing to offer but thanks.

This is most challenging to religious people, because we can become accustomed to knowing about God at a distance, and the systems and codes we put in place for this all get thrown out when God shows up in person, and Knowing About God shifts to simply Knowing God.

Challenge: How can you and/or family focus on this central meaning of Christmas?  Advent is the traditional time for the time before Christmas when Christians prepare themselves to truly enter into the story.

We’ll provide some Advent resources here you might use for you or your family:

Reminder: We have a great Christmas event coming December 14th, 2013: The Original Christmas Party.  Hope you’re coming!

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - September 9, 2015

Wednesday - Change It - Structured Rest

Work and Rest

So far this week, we’ve looked at rhythms for rest, but what should one actually do with that time? One author, Tim Keller, has suggested two main categories of rest. 1) Doing nothing at all. Kick your feet up. 2) Do something different from your usual work. If you work in a bank, volunteering to help launch our church is a form of rest. But if you work in a church, then it isn't rest...but doing the books for your favourite charity could be. If you’re a fisherman, then fishing isn’t rest. But if you’re a videographer, it is. If you’re a landscaper, then cutting the grass at home isn’t rest. But for many people, it’s therapeutic! Not sure what that might look like? It could be contemplative – spend some time praying, reading something spiritually focused, watching a sunrise. It could be recreational - playing soccer, rock climbing, hitting the beach, learning a new skill, reading something just for fun. It could be aesthetic - going to an art gallery, climbing the CN tower to look over the city, watching an outdoor movie like we're hosting this September. Rest is going to vary depending on your work and your personality. For me - rest is reading, or outdoors. Hiking, rock climbing, camping, all use muscles, parts of my brain and energies that writing these challenges and standing here in front of a camera talking to you does not! Question: List your favourite way to find rest in each of these categories: Doing Nothing: Contemplative: Recreational: Aesthetic: Then put down when you'll plan to do that next. We meet for coffee this Wednesday night at Starbucks in the Chapters Store in Ajax, in Durham Region just East of Toronto. Maybe we'll see you there?

Related Topics: Rest, Sabbath | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Work and Rest"

Just in time for summer's blend of work and rest, Redeem the Commute is starting a new series of daily challenges to help busy people restore life to the commuting lifestyle. This seven week series will look at the meaning and purpose of work, rest, and ancient practices that have helped followers of Jesus to keep the two in perspective and balance for centuries.

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