Christmas Morning Devotional: Preview

Christmas Morning Preview

Christmas morning is a magical time. As a Pastor, Christmas season is busy with lots of extra activities. Christmas Eve night is especially full with multiple worship services and special events.

When our son was young, I would hurry home after leading Christmas Eve services. We would pack the car and drive 2.5 hours to join our extended family for Christmas Day. I have fond memories of sliding into the driveway after midnight on Christmas Eve, carrying my sleeping son upstairs to bed with his cousins, having a cup of hot cocoa, and staying up with my wife and in-laws putting toys together and arranging them under the tree. Then we would go to bed and take a short winter’s nap.

I say short because the aforementioned activities would usually wrap up around 2AM. Then about 6:30, we would hear the kids assembling at the foot of the stairs. Like the Sooner Schooner preparing for the Oklahoma land run of 1889, the kids would be lined up waiting to stake their claim. Finally, all parents and grandparents would be up and positioned, the gate would be moved, and the kids would hurry in to see what surprise was waiting for them to enjoy.

Christmas morning always felt like the sun was rising on a new and joyous day.

The original Christmas was certainly a magical time as well. Since the foundation of the earth, God was preparing to one day send His Son to be our rescuer from sin and judgement. Jesus, the Son of God, was carried to the manger on that first Christmas Eve by Mary and Joseph. With all things arranged as the Father intended, and after the world had endured a long winter’s “nap” awaiting the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus was born! This Gift of gifts was a poorly kept secret. God had spoken of this day for over 1,500 years through the prophets, but His birth still caught a sleeping world by surprise. That Christmas morning, the Son rose on a new day.

In His Gospel, Luke recorded with a physician’s precision the eyewitness testimony of those who experienced that first Christmas morning. This 25 day Bible reading plan will take you through the preparations and presentation of that first Christmas morning to understand more fully the gift that Jesus is to us.

If you are looking for a church home in Norman, Oklahoma, this Christmas, we would love to have you worship with us at Wildwood Community Church. You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org. Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Pastor Mark Robinson

A few ways to access the devotional:

You can find the full devotional in pdf format here!
You can subscribe to the YouVersion reading plan arrangement of this devotional by clicking here.
ALSO, if you would like to participate in the “Reading with Friends” Reading plan for this devotional on the YouVersion app starting December 1, you can click here.
From December 1-25 we will post each day’s devotional entry to this blog.

November 2025 Baptism Services

On Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church in Norman, OK, we gathered to worship Jesus while also celebrating the baptisms of 18 people who had professed faith in Christ. In the 8:30 service, we had a longer sermon rooted in Luke 1:1-4. Below you will find the audio from the 8:30 service, the video of the full 9:45 service, and the video of the baptism portion of both the 8:30 and 11:00 services.

If you are interested in being baptized at Wildwood in the future, our next baptism service will be March 8, 2026. Let us know your interest by filling out the form at wildwoodchurch.org/baptism.

To listen to the 8:30AM sermon on Luke 1:1-4 offline:

Luke Intro Sermon

To listen to the 8:30 sermon online, use media player:

To watch 8:30 service baptisms, use YouTube online:

To watch the 9:45 service, use YouTube online:

To watch the 11:00 service, use YouTube online:

Baptism Sunday: November 23, 2025 Preview

Dear Wildwood family … hope you are well! As I write this, we are just a few days away from our next Baptism Sunday, November 23, 2025. As is our custom on this day, we will be “All In” the worship service (no children, student, college or adult classes meeting that day as we are all in the worship service together.) We do this so we all can be a part of worshipping the Lord together and hearing of His great work in the lives of 18 Wildwood people who are being baptized (across our three morning worship services).

This is a Sunday you will not want to miss, so make plans to join us in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 services. See the graphic below for who is being baptized in which service.

Around the baptisms, we will also look at Luke 1:1-4 together. Hope to see you then … and bring friends!

Shine (Part 3) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, November 16 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, College Pastor Kevin Choate preached a sermon based on Romans 15:14-24. This message was the final part of the “Shine” series. Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.

Sermon Questions:

Pray! Start your discussion this week with prayer requests.
Read Romans 15:14-24.
Have you ever seen the connection between evangelism and priesthood? How does sharing the gospel with someone mediate God to them? What would it look like for you to embrace your role as an evangelistic priest?
Paul wanted to shine in the darkness – specifically in places that didn’t have enough believers to reach that area (today these are classified as “unreached people groups”). Why is it important for mission efforts to be directed to these unreached areas?
Consider reading Matthew 28:18-20 and Revelation 7:9-10. What connection do you see between the mission Jesus gives His church and this inevitable future event? Why is it tempting to be content where Christ is already known?
Have you ever recognized the unique opportunity for the gospel to go out to the world through the University campus? What is exciting about this possibility?
How can you shine strategically where God has placed you? Is there anyone you can PRAY for, INVITE into your life, or GIVE to?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen to audio offline, click link below:

Shine (part 3)

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube live stream:

Shine (part 3) Sermon Preview

It’s a regular debate on the appropriate time to start decorating for Christmas. For some it’s November 1^st – for others it’s important to wait until after Thanksgiving. This year, my wife and I decided to take the boxes down and started decorating the first week of November. Yes, we are that family.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions at Wildwood takes place in our Christmas Eve candlelight services. At the end of the service the lights dim, Pastor Mark begins with one candle and lights another as he remarks about how the gospel hope of our resurrected Lord has passed from one person to the next, just as each candle is lit by another candle.

This Sunday, we are wrapping up our SHINE series, and during this series we have been talking about the various ways that God has called Wildwood Community Church to shine. Pastor Mark has talked about how as we shine and our purpose is not private but public, and that pure religion comes from a right relationship as we talked about our opportunity to care for widows and orphans.

My name is Kevin Choate, and I serve as the College Pastor at Wildwood Community Church. This Sunday, we will talk about how we can Shine, specifically in God’s Strategy to Reach the Nations.

It’s a danger we are all tempted with – it is the danger of contentment. If you’re sitting in a chair today, it is likely that you have heard of the name “Jesus Christ”. You’re also probably familiar with His death, burial and resurrection. We all have a tendency in our thoughts or actions to be content where Christ is already known.

In Sunday’s passage in Romans 15:14-24, we will see a strategic mission by the Apostle Paul to shine the light of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard of who He is or what He has done. Is Paul’s strategy possible today? If Paul was a member at Wildwood Community Church, what would he do?

Paul didn’t preach everywhere. He targeted one kind of place. The place where the nations passed through: metropolises, trade centers, places of influence. Is there that kind of place in Norman? Yes. The University of Oklahoma! Because Paul lit the match in places of influence, we light the campus to reach the world. God has placed Wildwood in a unique location. We can reach the world by reaching the campus!

Robinson Update (11/13/25)

November 13, 2025

Dear Friends,

Happy mid-November to each of you! We wanted to provide an update to our previous post regarding the path the Lord is currently walking us through. As you know, Kimberly was diagnosed with lung cancer one month ago. This diagnosis came after a variety of symptoms led to a variety of tests and scans which led to a biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis exactly one month ago. Since that time, the biopsy was sent off for genetic testing to help guide the formation of the treatment plan. On Monday of this week we met with our Oncologist who (informed by the results of the genetic testing and in concert with her transplant doctor) shared with us the proposed treatment plan.

Since the cancer has spread beyond the lung, the first treatment utilized will be a combination of chemotherapy and a targeted medicinal treatment. The chemo will be administered (at least initially) in four rounds, with each round consisting of a day of IV infusion, followed by three weeks of waiting and letting the chemo do its job. On top of the chemo, Kimberly will also take a daily oral medication that is targeted at the particular mutation her cancer is presenting. She will begin round one of this treatment on Monday, November 17. These chemo and targeted treatments carry with them the usual suspects of side effects related to these types of drugs. Join us in praying that these medications do their job and take out the cancer, while keeping the side effects to a tolerable level. Also pray that her organs would be protected during these rounds of chemo – that the “cure” would not cause any long term damage.

After the 4 rounds of chemo, Kimberly will probably go through radiation to attack any remaining visible cancer cells in her body. Though we don’t have a specific timeline on the radiation, I would assume we will be walking this road over the next 6 months or so.

As we walk into this season, a few quick thoughts:

God can and will be glorified in this journey. That is our chief prayer. For whatever reason, we are walking through this valley, but we know we are not walking through it alone, and IN NO WAY does this struggle deter us from our primary purpose in living. We were created in the image of our awesome God, and recreated in Jesus Christ as new creations at the moment of our conversion. We were made on purpose and for a purpose – to live in relationship with God and to bring glory to Him forever. There is nothing that can separate us from Him or that purpose. Cancer stinks, and cancer treatment is awful … but, it is momentary and light COMPARED TO what God has in store. Therefore, we will live this moment with our hope in Him, and knowing that brings Him glory. Join us in praying that God would be glorified … and join us in praising God for who He is each and every day. As you think of us, praise Him.
Grief and pain and worry come in waves. We are not immune to that. There are moments Kimberly and I are doing great, and there are moments when we are weak and worry and are struggling. Those of you who have walked similar roads know what we are saying. Please pray that in all instances, our worry and concern would lead us to our Savior who invites us to come to Him and “lay our yoke upon Him” because He cares for us so that we might find rest for our souls. If our experience is causing any of YOU anxiety or bringing back memories of difficult struggles from your past, may you join us in laying your burdens at His feet. Jesus Christ can care for all of us simultaneously in amazing ways! We are limited, and He is not. We don’t “take a number and wait in line” to talk with Christ, He is available 24/7/365 … therefore let us collectively run to Him!
God works ALL THINGS together for the good of those who are called according to His purposes. That means that God is working THIS MOMENT, THIS CANCER TREATMENT PLAN together for OUR GOOD. This is not a promise to physical healing in this life, but it is a promise that God will deliver good gifts to us along the way. Some of the good He will deliver is a deeper relationship with Him, perhaps others coming to faith in Jesus, an enriched time as a family as we trust God together, opportunities to see the Body of Christ at work, and many other things. We want to have eyes to see and ears to hear the goodness of God in this moment. Anyone can collect grievances, frustrations, and things that annoy us … but we don’t want to be anyone … we are His and we want to live in light of His goodness toward us in this season. We invite you to look for God’s goodness in this process as well in our lives, but also in your life as you trust in Him with the struggles you are experiencing.

Thank you friends for all the support and encouragement you have extended to us this past month. Though our lives are taking a different path than we expected this year, this moment has not surprised the Lord, and He has prepared good works for us to walk in during this season. We love you all, and are trusting God together with you through this moment. To God be the glory, great things He has done/is doing!

A song I have been singing lately that may encourage you as well is Rich Mullins “If I Stand” lyrics:

There’s more that rises in the morning than the sun

And more that shines in the night than just the moon

It’s more than just this fire here that keeps me warm

In a shelter that is larger than this room

And there’s a loyalty that’s deeper than mere sentiments

And a music higher than the songs that I can sing

The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance

I owe only to the Giver of all good things

So if I stand, let me stand on the promise

That You will pull me through

And if I can’t, let me fall on the grace

That first brought me to You

And if I sing, let me sing for the joy

That has borne in me these songs

And if I weep, let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home

There’s more that dances on the prairies than the wind

More that pulses in the ocean than the tide

There’s a love that is fiercer than the love between friends

More gentle than a mother’s when her baby’s at her side

And there’s a loyalty that’s deeper than mere sentiments

And a music higher than the songs that I can sing

The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance

I owe only to the Giver of all good things

So if I stand, let me stand on the promise

That You will pull me through

And if I can’t, let me fall on the grace

That first brought me to You

And if I sing, let me sing for the joy

That has borne in me these songs

And if I weep, let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home

Shine (Part 2) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, November 9 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on James 1:27a. We will be diving into this text as we continue a series called “Shine”. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read James 1:26-27
How would you define religion? What is a relationship with God? In your understanding, is Christianity a religion, a relationship with God, or both? Why do you answer the way you do?
James writes to the early church and admonishes us to be more than “hearers” of the Word, but also doers. He characterizes “right doing” in James 1:26-27. What are the three areas in our life where our relationship with God should be revealed?
The message today focused on the “visiting widows and orphans” section of this text. Why do you think God singles out these two groups for our care?
Three circles where we find orphans and widows are our households, our church family, and our community. What does the Bible say about caring for widows and orphans in these three areas?
Think through any widows or orphans you know from these three circles of our lives. How would God have you get involved in “visiting them in their affliction”?
What stands out to you most from this message? Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen offline, click the link below:

Shine (part 2)

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube live stream:

Shine (part 2) Sermon Preview

In Christian circles today, the word “religion” is often looked down upon. It gets a bad rap. En vogue today is to talk of a “relationship” with God. Relationship is better than religion … or so the modern argument goes. Maybe you have heard that before. Maybe you have said that before. But is it true?

Well, the root idea behind this statement is certainly appealing. Our connection with God is not just cold and programmed, it is to be warm and familial. We are invited to call Him “Father” after all, and all Christians are included inside the “household of God.” If “religion” is cold and ceremonial and “relationship” is dynamic and dependent, then sure … we need a relationship with God!

But before we go too much further down this path, I want us to wrestle with two ideas.

Idea #1: The word “religion” is in the Bible. In fact, the word “religion” is in the New Testament. Actually, the word “religion” is in the first book of the New Testament that was written chronologically. In truth, the word “religion” is in the very first CHAPTER of the New Testament ever written. AND … the word “religion” is used in a positive context in that use. So, there must be something about “religion” that is positive and that we are invited to participate in. The word “religion” refers to the way our relationship with God is demonstrated in our lives. Far from a negative, understood and lived correctly, our religion demonstrates on the outside what is really going on in our interior life.

Idea #2: The thought of a “relationship” with God is incomplete at times in our modern world. When we think of our relationship with God … that we get to call Him Father and are a part of His household … we imagine that benefit as God simply caring about our day. He is our Father, so we can curl up on the couch beside Him and share with Him all our daily struggles and He will listen. YES … this is PART of what our relationship with God entails. He does care and He does listen. But our new life in Christ has also ushered us into a new experience. The Holy Spirit has come to rest in our souls, thus giving us a spiritually redefining DNA. Therefore, God as our Father ALSO means that we are to live a life that demonstrates our (spiritual) family resemblance. We are to live a life that reminds others of whose Family we are a part of.

So, let’s put these two ideas together for a moment, and look at James 1:27a:

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction …”

If God is our Father, then our lives will demonstrate a practical concern for the things that concern God’s heart.

This Sunday, in part 2 of our “Shine” sermon series at Wildwood Community Church, we will look at James 1:27 together to see what “pure religion” looks like. As a part of this service, we will also highlight some of what Wildwood is doing to minister to widows and orphans, and how each of us can be a part of that. Hope to see you this Sunday as we gather to worship God together in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services. See you there … and bring friends.

Shine (Part 1) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, November 2 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Matthew 5:13-16. We walked through the first part of a new sermon series called “Shine”. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read Matthew 5:13-16
What would you say is the purpose of your life?
Jesus says that His followers are both salt and light. What do you think Jesus meant by describing Christians with these two terms?
Christians are designed by God to impact the world around us for His glory. In what ways is your faith a PUBLIC part of your life?
What are ways in which you shine by doing good works in Jesus name? Are there any specific ways God was prompting you through the message today to live a more distinctive lifestyle?
What are you currently facing in this season of your life that might be a new arena in which you might shine your light for His glory?
What stands out to you most from this message? Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen offline, click the link below:

Shine (Part 1)

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube live stream:

Shine (part 1) Sermon Preview

What is the purpose of life? If life is a game, how do we know if we are winning?

Theologians, philosophers, and People magazine have all tried to answer this question for us over the years, but I want to drill down a bit deeper and personalize the conversation. Instead of asking the question, “what is the purpose of humanity?” I want YOU to ask YOURSELF the question, “what is the purpose of MY life?”

How would you answer that question?

While you are reflecting on it, let me offer some observational suggestions of where many find purpose in life:

Life is about living. I know that I am “winning” if I am still alive and fighting off the inevitable effects of aging.
Life is about accumulating. I know I am “winning” if I have more today than I had yesterday in things, vacations, and financial deposits.
Life is about comfort. I know I am “winning” if life is enjoyable and fun.
Life is about accomplishments. I know I am “winning” if I get a promotion, am famous, or win an award.

How would Jesus answer this question? What is the life that He would call blessed? Based on the categories above, we might imagine Jesus saying:

“Blessed are the old who look young (and are healthy), for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the rich in this world, for they are the ones getting life right. Blessed are those who experience the least amount of trouble, for they are triumphant. Blessed are the honored by society, for they are on a winning streak.”

But did Jesus ever say those things?

In His most famous sermon, Jesus began by saying something quite different, “Blessed are the poor in spirit … those who mourn … the meek … those who hunger and thirst for righteousness … the merciful … the pure in heart … the peacemakers … and the persecuted.” (Matthew 5:2-12) Jesus says that those who are blessed, might be those who look cursed! Therefore, in order to determine who is winning in life, we need to look a bit deeper. After all:

We will not find ultimate meaning in longevity … for time is undefeated. We will just grow deeper and deeper into despair as our body breaks down over time.
We will not find ultimate meaning in things … moth and rust will eventually destroy them anyway, causing us to worry and fret about the preservation of things that will never last.
We will not find ultimate meaning in comfort … while no one chases discomfort, discomfort finds us anyway! Thus “comfort-tied” purpose is short lived, and life feels futile when things get hard.
We will not find ultimate meaning in accomplishments … for each victory makes us hungry for more, and we can never “win enough” to be truly satisfied.

The ultimate meaning of life is found in the Creator of life and living consistent with His design. We are created in the image of God to spread the glory of God to the ends of the universe. When we are living in light of that design, we are truly blessed by the grace of God regardless of our circumstances.

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us that we are both salt and light, and that we are designed to impact the world around us for His glory. This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be diving into this text as we begin a new three part sermon series called “Shine.” We will worship, pray, open God’s Word, and share the Lord’s supper together. Hope you are there in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service … and bring friends!