Christmas Perspective by Pastor Ty Choate

Bill IBC Hamilton • December 15, 2025

Christmas Perspective by Pastor Ty

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” ―Abraham Lincoln

I love this quote. It really speaks to us about perspective. As we transition our focus to Christmas may we focus on the positive and not the negative. Let us be known as givers and not takers. Think about how those shepherds responded on that first Christmas.

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” – Luke 2:15-18

If we are Jesus to the world, then let all our actions, words, and thoughts be His as well.

May this Christmas season be one that we will rejoice that “the Lord has come” and now lives in us.

Amen?

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As a Child by Pastor Ty

By Bill IBC Hamilton • December 8, 2025

As a Child by Pastor Ty

Hope and Perspective by Pastor Ty

By Bill IBC Hamilton • December 1, 2025

Hope and Perspective by Pastor Ty In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” we see a great change in the character, George Bailey. What is different about George Bailey's life after Clarence (Angel) shows him what life would have been like without him? In terms of circumstances, absolutely nothing. At this point, for all he knows his life is exactly as it was a few hours before; Clarence did nothing to change that. The Bailey Building and Loan has still lost $8000- it could be forced to close and people could lose their life savings and jobs, rumors of embezzlement – the family ruined – George’s Arrest -Scandal! But George has changed! He has a new Attitude… a new Perspective on what’s really important Family, Friends and his Faith in God. It’s easy to forget in the movie that the real change has nothing to do with money and affection on Christmas Eve. The real change is within his soul. For the first time George Bailey is looking at life with new eyes. Same for a group of shepherds at the first Christmas – they had a change I attitude/perspective in Luke 2 the angels put on a celebration to announce the birth of Jesus. The shepherds went and found the baby Jesus. Their station in life had not changed but their attitude had: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (V20) May this Christmas give us a new perspective and a vertical focus all year long.