{"id":1400,"date":"2022-11-30T19:49:23","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T23:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curwensvillealliance.org\/podcasts\/?p=1400"},"modified":"2022-11-30T19:49:24","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T23:49:24","slug":"whats-hidden-in-the-manger-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curwensvillealliance.org\/podcasts\/?p=1400","title":{"rendered":"What’s Hidden in the Manger? :: ADVENT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11\/27\/22 by Pastor Steve Shields. <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Why may the Goodness of God seem hidden to us? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Because we take it for granted<\/strong>. We don’t see it because it is always there, right in plain sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because pearls don’t sit well before swine<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the enemy blinds us to God’s Goodness. <\/strong> We can be so focused on other things – even good things- that we totally miss God’s Goodness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The manger is filled with compassion! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compassion is an emotional word<\/strong>, and stands opposed to indifference. Compassion is an action word. <\/strong> Compassion is a connection word.<\/strong> Advent demonstrates that connection like little else. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus your eyes on what’s hidden in the manger. <\/strong> Make it your aim to let God define Himself. Fill your mind with truth about God’s Goodness.<\/strong> His compassion<\/strong> that reaches out to connect with us. His grace<\/strong> that shows us blessing when we deserve judgement. His patience<\/strong> that gives us one opportunity after another to turn to him. His loyal love<\/strong> that keeps all His promises to us. His faithfulness<\/strong> that doesn’t shift or fail or give up on us. <\/p>\n