Good Evening Friends. I am sending this out late because we let loose a little too much last night in celebration of a beloved family members 21st Birthday. I was reminded this morning that I am nowhere near the age of 21 and do not have the recovery time as I used to in my younger years. And the youngtsters reminded me that my 20-year-old dance moves were very outdated. I can’t ride a mechanical bull like I used to…
It’s great to get out and have some fun every so often. Just remember to always be responsible and respectful, and even in the wild places, be a representation of the love of Jesus. Now that we had our wild weekend out of the way, it’s back to focusing on Christmas and the miracle of that Baby in the manger.
On the cusp of my top 5 Christmas songs is a double-header from for King & Country. Today I am sharing two versions of the same song, but definitely two different visual experiences. The first is this year’s official music video for “Little Drummer Boy,” a beautiful, cinematic short that I am very impressed with from these talented brothers. Throughout the video, I kept hoping they would end it the way they did, and to me, it’s very powerful.
The second comes from one of for King & Country’s live Christmas concerts. My wife and my parents have experienced this show in person in the past, and they say it is just that-an experience, one unlike any other Christmas concert you will ever see. As we move forward into a new era of life after COVID, I would recommend saving a little money for next Christmas season to see if these two are bringing their show near your town. It’s worth every penny.
December 20
21Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
“With such violence
the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,
never to be found again.” (Revelation 18: 21)
Throughout Revelation, John references the destruction of “Babylon” in his visions. But the Babylonian empire and the great city of Babylon had fallen to Alexander the Great almost five hundred years before John was born. John speaks of the second Babylon, an economic superpower in the world that will rise and teach a false account of Christianity. To me, America fits this narrative of the second Babylon to a “T.” This “future Babylon” will be both religious and political, an economic superpower where the church will be a contrast to Jesus’ teachings and what He sought to establish through His church. America was a country that rose as a church state until we officially separated church and state. Never in America’s history was there an accurate teaching of Christ. We slaughtered and conquered, spread west through lawless lands, and it took a Civil War for us to treat ALL men equally, and nearly 100 more years before giving women the same respect. Only in recent years, nearly 2000 years after the time of Jesus, do we see an accurate understanding of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Yet, at the same time, we have the fastest growth of atheists and agnostics in American History. If America is the great Second Babylon prophesied about in Revelation, the chaos we are seeing unfold in America right now may be the beginning of the fall of this Babylon. I have personally grown weary of this wicked world. I pray Jesus comes much sooner than later.
Reading plan: Revelation 20
Deeper reading plan: Malachi 2
Prayer and meditation: We continue to pray that the world comes together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We pray that the miracle of the child in the manger changes this world forever, as it should have nearly 2000 years ago. This week we will also add a prayer for all the lonely and those who mourn during the holidays. We pray they draw close to Jesus as Jesus is close to them.
Fitness challenge: stretch, rest, and recover
Worship: This is the week we celebrate our Savior’s birth! I hope you are anointed with the Spirit this entire week!
Common Sense Reborn 