This week we turn the corner away from the history in Daniel’s prophecy and look to his visions and apocalyptic pictures. In what could be seen from our perspective as a graphic novel, Daniel gets a vision of these four beasts and is very unsettled by it. Yet, right in the middle of that, we discover that he has an Isaiah moment which for me, defines how we ought to view any “kingdom” here on Earth.  The line from one of our worship songs has been coming to mind: “You reign above it all, you reign above it all. Over the universe and over every heart…” Our joy and comfort is found in that truth, regardless of what is happening all around us.

We are back in Daniel this week looking at his overnight stay in the lion’s den. As we look at what is often considered a Sunday school children's lesson, there is much to learn there. Long-term faithfulness to God and his calling put Daniel in the pit, as those who sought to harm him used his righteous character against him. It is a wonderful story of God’s grace, vindication, and provision in the midst of trial. 

This Sunday, we have one more message in our “Clash of Kings” series. We are going to look at two old people who have been faithfully waiting and praying for the redemption and salvation of Israel. Simeon and Anna were two people who dedicated their lives to prayer and looking forward to the coming of Messiah, their savior King. In God’s goodness, they were rewarded as the cry of a baby in the temple stirred their hearts in a way that had never happened before.

This Sunday before Christmas weekend we are going to look at the incident in Bethlehem where King Herod abuses his power and orders the murder of innocent children. Why such a story at Christmas time? Well, Matthew felt it important enough to include it, so we should look at it and understand, as best we can the question, why does God let bad things happen to good people? I want us to find hope in the midst of darkness, to see mourning turned to joy and the deliverance of God in hard times. To fully understand the words of the hymn writer when he says: “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn…” Christ is born.

The Christmas season is here, and we will spend the next few weeks in a series called: The Clash of the Kings. This week, we will see God’s hand of providence moving across time and space, from Daniel’s time to the time of Jesus' birth.

Well, the Christmas season is here, and we will spend the next few weeks in a series called: The Clash of the Kings. This week, we will see God’s hand of providence moving across time and space, from Daniel’s time to the time of Jesus' birth. Just who were these “wise men”? Where did they come from, and why does Matthew include them in his telling of the Gospel?