Christianity introduces itself to the world through a book written by someone who was, in many ways, an outsider. Matthew, the author of the first book in the New Testament, was a tax collector—hated by many, including the religious elites of his time. Yet it’s his perspective that’s featured. This year, our Advent messages will explore Matthew's unique take on the Christmas story. While he doesn’t shy away from sharing that Jesus entered the world in surprising and even scandalous ways, Matthew focuses on presenting Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, with a mission unlike any other.