Out of Egypt
December 5, 2021
From a group of nomadic refugees fleeing persecution in Egypt, to a young refugee couple forced to deliver their baby in a stable, the Bible tells the story of God working through aliens and strangers to bring about His kingdom. The subversive message of Christmas is that God Himself endured a self-imposed exile from heaven to deliver us from our exile in sin. Join us online or in person this advent season as we reexamine the Christmas story.
Passage
Exodus 22:21; Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:19; Deuteronomy 27:29; 1 Chronicles 16:19-22; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 47:22; Luke 2; Matthew 2; Romans 12:13; Colossians 3:11; Hebrews 13:1-3
Principle
Jesus lived as an exile so we wouldn’t have to. (See Luke 2 and Matthew 2)
Practice
Worship fully this Christmas by welcoming the alien and stranger among us.
- Minister to Afghan Refugees living in two of our church houses.
- Support the Advent Conspiracy: $55,000 for North American and International missions
- The Fisher Family: Give to the "Making Change" Jar or support the "30-1-12 Campaign".
Daily Readings
Use this chronological reading of the Christmas story for your personal quiet time or with friends and/or family through Advent.
- Day 1: Hosea 11
- Day 2: Colossians 1:15-20
- Day 3: John 1:1-14,
- Day 4: Matthew 1:1-17
- Day 5: Luke 1:1-25
- Day 6: Luke 1:26-38
- Day 7: Matthew 1:18-25
Suggested Resources
Welcoming the Stranger, by Matthew Soerens & Jenny Hwang
Undaunted, by Zoya Phan
From Every People and Nation, by J. Daniel Hays
The Music of Christmas, by Gary & Sheri Webber
Saving Christmas series (2019)