Have We Got It All Wrong About Christmas?
Christmas is the best time of the year, but we could enjoy it ten times better if we let go of how we think it should be, what we think is important.
Christmas is the best time of the year, but we could enjoy it ten times better if we let go of how we think it should be, what we think is important.
I realized that he probably never had a perfect birthday cake (if they even did that in those days). Even his actual birthday was far from perfect…
He had not slept since Mary had given him the news of her pregnancy. How can such a thing be?
Now that I am a mother and am building my own Christmas traditions, I look back and know that all the small things matter.
Jolly is just another phrase for excited, joyous, or anything that exudes happiness. We are in the holiday season, but it is not so for many.
They are the messengers of God visiting human beings with the knowledge of the mind of God. In the Gospels, they are vital to the ministry of Jesus.
I allowed my fingers to trace her name. This woman was an important person in the history of our faith, and up until this morning, I had never heard of her.
They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not wise.
Mary thought of Joseph. She protested her innocence. “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
I thanked the Lord and kindly reminded Him of the promise He made me. I confidently assumed that we would have a girl on our next go-around.
“I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,” said the Spirit. “Look upon me!”
Nikolaustag refers to the remembrance of Sankt Nikolaus. Children place shoes outside their bedroom doors in ‘hopes’ that the saint will come around with goodies for them.
Her husband has regained his ability to speak and now he won’t stop. He is telling her, again, about that day at the Temple.
Six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy, her young cousin, Mary, came for a visit. Neighbors caught a glimpse of the older woman as Mary approached the house.
The angel identified himself as Gabriel who stands in the presence of God. That should be enough credentials!
Volunteers pack, load, and pray over every box that comes through, knowing that God will bless each child who receives one.
If our possessions crowd every inch of space in the house, garage, and rented storage space, we can still see something we do not possess and long for it.
For our family, the most important thing about Christmas is reflecting on God’s love and His goodness towards us as we spend time with family and friends.
You came into a world as politically confusing as our world is today—yet You came and brought truth to those who heard You.
In Advent, we remember. We retell the very same story every year because there isn’t a better story to tell. The gospel is the greatest story ever told.
As we begin our journey through the Christmas story we must remember that, unlike Calvary, the Incarnation is not a “once and for all” truth.
“Listen to what I speak! Remember the unfailing love of the Mighty One of Israel! The Messiah will come to rescue his people!”
Christmas can be hard. When families are focused on being together, it’s easy to see only what is missing.
The Ghost smiled thoughtfully, and waved its hand: saying as it did so, “Let us see another Christmas!”
