How can you bring a fresh angle to your next Christmas sermon? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Timothy Clarke, senior pastor at First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. Here are four people from the Biblical narrative, that you can encourage your listeners empathize with:

Zachariah and Elizabeth: the loneliness of disappointment, for her barrenness

Joseph: the loneliness he felt, trying to decide how to proceed with Mary, given the complex situation before them

Mary: the loneliness she felt, in miraculously conceiving the infant Jesus and being ostracized for it

“The incarnation says God became a human being!” Clarke said. He indicated that the incarnation alone is reason enough to be excited, and should offer plenty of material for Christmas preaching.Check out the show-notes: Thy hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” written by Charles WesleyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices