Christmas

333: Herzberger - The Family Altar at Christmas

12/22/23

10 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

The God Who Stole Christmas. In this episode of Banned Books, we discuss Christmas Eve and Christmas Day readings, prayers, hymns, and traditions. We also have a lot of fun jesting and critiquing time-held hymns and traditions. We talk translations, history, worship, and why Christmas is the best time to embrace the enchanting absurdity of Jesus — the God-in-the-flesh, who’s come to be a Light in the darkness, a shield against sin, the world and the devil, and the Door opened and welcoming us into eternal life.
331: Martyn Lloyd-Jones - The End of the World

12/11/23

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

All Day and All of the Night. In this episode of Banned Books, we discuss Advent and the second coming of Jesus Christ while reading a sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Along the way, we talk about the symbols and meaning of Christmas, how preaching a biblical sermon doesn’t mean it’s a gospel sermon, and why that matters, all with an extra echo for dramatic effect.
285: R.C. Sproul - The Birth of Jesus

12/21/22

6 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

Let’s Not Talk About Love. In this episode, we discuss R.C. Sproul’s Christmas sermon wherein he preaches on the Gospel of Luke chapter 2. The espresso kicked in early, and we read through the whole sermon before diving deep into the distinction between exposition and proclamation, so buckle up. Riley talks too much while Gillespie exercises patience and restraint.
284: Early Church Fathers on the Birth of Jesus

12/19/22

6 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

Is It Too Early for Jesus’ Birth? In this episode, we read excerpts from various early church fathers on Jesus’ birth, with a heavy emphasis on the historicity of God’s incarnation. What part did earthly signs play in announcing Jesus’ birth? Why did it matter to the early fathers that God was born on an actual day, in an actual place, at an actual time? Do we at the present place the same emphasis as the early fathers on Jesus’ birth?
283: Luther - It is true that the child was born of the virgin and is mine

12/16/22

6 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

It’s Addressed To You. Open It! In this episode, we discuss Martin Luther’s sermon on Luke 2 for Christmas afternoon. What’s the consequence of the “to you” and “for you” of Luke’s Gospel message for Christians?
279: Tim Keller - The Purpose of Christmas

11/24/22

6 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

They Call Me… Tim. In this episode, we discuss Tim Keller’s sermon, The Purpose of Christmas. Does it matter that Jesus’ birth is a historical fact? What’s the difference between an eyewitness account and a legend? What are we really preaching at Christmas, and why should anyone care?
The Mystery of God's Incarnation

12/29/20

6 mins

By Donavon Riley

Christmas-time is the bold proclamation that God was born to save sinners.
186: Christmas During the Civil War

12/17/20

4 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

Can We Just Have A Civil Christmas? In the episode, what was Christmas like during the Civil War? Puritans, holiday traditions, and why the Church is an incarnate Church.
185: Christmas after the Enlightenment

12/10/20

4 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

Have Yourself A Very Enlightened Christmas. In this episode, an examination of the impact of the Enlightenment on the Church, especially the preaching and traditions of Advent and Christmas.
184: Bowler - Christmas in Nazi Germany

12/03/20

4 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

It’s Christmas in Germany for Hitler. In this episode, a historical examination of Christmas in Germany during the Nazi regime, including new hymns, advent calendars, the emergence of Wotan, and Hitler’s Silent Night.
101: Augustine, “Why Celebrate Christmas?”

12/25/19

2 mins

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

Christmas? This Is Pretty Much The Whole Package. Gillespie and Riley read and so discuss Augustine’s sermon “Why Celebrate Christmas?” This episode, more rabbit trails, laughs, and discussion of Psalm 85 as the perfect Christmas sermon text.
100: G.K. Chesterton’s “The Christmas Ballads”

12/21/19

1 min

By Christopher Gillespie Donavon Riley

Break the cycle. Rise above. Focus on Christ in the manger. In their monumental 100th episode, Gillespie and Riley read and discuss G.K. Chesterton’s “The Christmas Ballads.” This episode, it’s a lot of incarnation talk and a few rabbit trails along the way.

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