Simply teaching the Bible, simply

Advent calendar 2024: Day 8 – Advent calendars

Advent calendars have become somewhat of a tradition in our country. This year, I’ve been treated to a Toblerone calendar – other chocolate is available, probably.  Anyway, the idea, as you know is to countdown to Christmas Day. But what is about that day, that they help us count down to? What is it that…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 7 – Shepherds

At the time Jesus was born, shepherds were considered dirty, even the outcasts of society – yet they were the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth, and the first to go see Him. Why? Well, documented evidence shows us that these particular shepherds were not ordinary shepherds nor were they ordinary sheep. These…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 6 – Empty promises

How often do we say at Christmas – whether in a card, or text message – “oh, we must meet up sometime in the new year!” Then we do nothing about it!, or when we meet in the street and say hi how are you doing with no intentions of stoping to find out, We’re…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 5 – Threat

When King Herod had a surprise visit from the wise men, and they told him that they were looking for the newborn King of the Jews, he was worried. In fact, he was so terrified that this would change his life, that he would no longer be in charge, that he acted rashly and cruelly,…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 4 – Christmas adverts

It always seems that Christmas adverts start so early — with supermarkets advertising their Christmas food in October this year! It builds anticipation and excitement – and sells products of course – but that’s nothing in comparison to that first Christmas.  You see, the arrival of a Messiah was anticipated by Israel for many more…

Advent calendar: Day 3 – John the Baptist

Following the good news that Mary heard from the angel Gabriel, that she would give birth to Jesus, she went to visit a relative of hers called Elizabeth, who was 6-months pregnant with a baby boy who would come to be known as John the Baptist. We have a lot of information about john the…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 2 – Christmas trees

For many of us, we enjoy putting up a Christmas tree in our living room, some a bit sooner than others And unlike anything else, we adapt our lives for it. We move furniture, we don’t mind we can’t see the whole TV, we don’t mind the mess, or the space it takes. We even…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 1 – Kings

How well do you know the Christmas story? Have you heard that there were three kings that visited Jesus in Bethlehem? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it. But that’s not what the Bible says. The Bible says there were wise men, called Magi, who visited Jesus as much as 2 years after He was born, and they…