• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

West Park Baptist Church

  • I’m New
    • I’m New
    • About Us
    • Core Values
    • What We Believe
    • Our Staff
    • Times & Directions
    • FAQs
  • Ministries
    • Adults
      • Adult Bible Fellowships
        • Groups List
      • Growth Groups
        • Groups List
      • Training Classes
      • Women
        • The Mom’s Chair
      • Men
      • Senior Adults
        • Senior Adult Luncheon (FEAST)
        • Golden Heirs
        • Mt Pisgah Scripture Printing
        • Resources
      • International Friends
        • ESL / English Classes
    • Students
      • College
      • High School
      • Middle School
    • Children
      • Nursery
      • Preschool
      • Elementary
      • First Steps
      • Awana
      • Parent’s Day Out
    • Disabilities
      • How do I volunteer?
    • Global Missions
      • Missions Conference
      • Go Trips
    • Prayer
      • Request Prayer
    • Worship Ministry
      • Worship Team
      • Media Team
  • Community Care Ministry
    • Adult Education
    • Biblical Counseling
    • Bread of Life Food Pantry
    • DivorceCare
    • Furniture Ministry
    • GriefShare
    • Local Partners
      • Boys & Girls Club
      • Knox Area Rescue Ministries
      • Serenity House
    • Our Journey of Hope – Cancer Care
    • Renewal
    • Request Prayer
    • Resource Call Line
  • Resources
    • Messages
    • The Pulse Newsletter
    • West Park’s Blog – Get Inspired!
    • Podcasts
    • RightNow Media
    • West Park Connections
      • Log in to West Park Connections
  • Events
    • Event Registration
  • Giving
    • Give Online
  • Contact Us

Jared Raby

December 23, 2015 By Jared Raby

Xmas

xmas1For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Xmas. For many of us the word represents the commercialization of the Christmas season. In our minds, the title seems like yet another attempt to erase Jesus from our culture and traditions. So, we respond with reminders and calls to, ‘Keep Christ in Christmas!’

But did you know the word has actually been around for centuries? It predates shopping malls, the modern idea of Santa, even those red holiday cups from Starbucks (wink). Did you know it originally had its roots in Christianity? That’s right. The ‘X’ in Xmas represents the Greek letter ‘chi’ which is the first letter of the word ‘Christos,’ meaning ‘God’s Anointed or Chosen One.’

Now, I’m not saying that followers of Christ should adopt the ancient, abbreviated title. But I do want to remind you (and myself) that there is something behind the X, an incredible, unthinkable truth. The long awaited, promised Messiah who would rescue God’s people from sin and death has come here. Not only that, the long awaited, promised King is coming again!

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ABC’s of Christmas

December 5, 2015 By Jared Raby

Family

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

This December a little boy will celebrate his first Christmas with a new family. familyHe has a new daddy and mommy. He has new brothers and a new sister. He was not always a part of our family but he is certainly no outsider. He is one of us. Just a few months ago, a judge declared he would be ours forever. He is, in every way, a Raby (expect for his beautiful blonde curls which obviously did not come from us). Now, he is entitled to everything that our other children have, including all of our love and affection.

Christmas is about adoption… not about our adoption of Oliver, but God’s adoption of you. At just the right time, God sent His Son to bring you into his family through adoption. Understand that He didn’t just save you. He also made you His son or daughter. He’s not only the righteous Judge who declared you innocent in Christ. He’s your good Father who calls you His own and freely and joyfully gives you all things in Christ (Romans 8:32), even the Spirit of God (Galatians 4:6-7).

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ABC’s of Christmas

Primary Sidebar

Upcoming Events

Sunday Morning Schedule
Worship Service – 10:30am
Service is online only
Livestreamed here

 

 

 

Our Weekly Newsletter

The Pulse Newsletter

Subscribe to The Pulse

 

Recent Message Series

The King’s Mission

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Footer

Our Church

Times & Directions
About Us
Our Staff
Contact Us
West Park Connections
Campus Map
Weather Alerts

Get Involved

Life@WestPark
Bible Studies
Groups

RightNow Media

Giving
Employment

Search Our Site

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 | West Park Baptist Church | 8833 Middlebrook Pike | Knoxville TN 37923 | 865-690-0031 | Privacy Policy