The podcast discusses the dilemma of Christmas expectations and the concept of Advent. They talk about the One Minute Pause app and Christmas preparations. They explore the beauty and promise of Christmas, emphasizing living with hope and praying for restoration. The hosts also discuss the apostasy of the hour and extend warm Christmas wishes to their listeners.
Christmas is a promise partly fulfilled; embrace the promise and long for Jesus' return.
Living in the in-between time of the Christmas promise brings tension; reject unbelief and focus on Jesus' return.
Deep dives
The Promise of Christmas
The podcast discusses the promise of Christmas and the anticipation of Jesus' arrival. It emphasizes that Christmas is a promise partly fulfilled and that the magic and enchantment of the season can sometimes feel fleeting. The hosts encourage listeners to embrace the promise and long for Jesus' return, reminding them that Christmas is not just about celebrating the birth of Christ, but also about anticipating his second coming. They discuss the importance of removing the veil of unbelief and inviting Jesus into the hurts and anger associated with unfulfilled promises. The hosts pray for the Holy Spirit's fire to burn away the veil and for the blood of Jesus to cleanse and restore hope and imagination.
Living in the In-Between
Another main point discussed in the podcast is the challenge of living in the in-between time, where the promise of Christmas is partly fulfilled, but the fullness of the promise is yet to come. The hosts use the analogy of an engagement without a wedding to describe this tension. They encourage listeners to link their hearts to the promise and to find joy in the moments that give us a glimpse of what is to come. They emphasize the need to reject the apostasy and unbelief surrounding the promise and instead choose to focus on the nearness of Jesus' return. The hosts pray for a fresh revelation of the fulfillment of the promise, particularly in relation to the return of Jesus.
Embracing the Hope of Christmas
The hosts express their love and gratitude for walking alongside their listeners in this late moment in the great war. They highlight the importance of hope during the Christmas season and offer their wishes and blessings to the listeners. They encourage listeners to pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn away the veil of unbelief and to claim the hope that Jesus came and is faithful, and that He is coming again. The hosts remind listeners to let Jesus fill their Christmas week and to focus on Him, regardless of the circumstances. They extend their Christmas greetings and express their excitement for the upcoming Christmas day podcast.