God’s splendor is a tale that is told.
Yesterday, we talked about swapping our usual list of New Year’s resolutions for the simple, yet profound desire to be more like Jesus. Of course, the big question is, “How do I do that?” Because, let’s be honest, that’s a heck of a lofty goal. He’s way up there *gestures at sky* and we’re way …
It’s that time again! The time when everyone designs their New & Improved Self™ for the upcoming year. Is that you? Are you planning things to start and things to stop, daydreaming about how awesome life will be come June? That’s certainly me. The turn of the year is an irresistible invitation to start fresh. …
PSA: No matter how you messed up this holiday season—no matter how many (dozen) cookies you ate or who you yelled at during family dinner or how jealous you were of other people’s presents—you aren’t too far gone for God. His love for you isn’t dependent on good behaviour, and His mercies are new each …
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. […] To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” [John 1:9-13 …
Do you think Mary knew? When she held her newborn son in her arms, both of them exhausted and raw, she knew he was the Son of God, but did she know he was the Savior? Did she know when she marvelled at his tiny hands and feet that one day she’d hold them when …
He’s here! The Light of the World, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, the Savior of Mankind—God has arrived on Earth! And…he’s a baby? A tiny, squirming, helpless, crying, kinda-looks-like-Winston-Churchill poop machine? Yep. Because that’s how much God loves us. Jesus didn’t enter this world as a limitless, immaculate, divine being beyond reckoning …
Anticipation is high as a teenage girl labors in a foreign city surrounded by strangers and livestock, her first tremor of pain the first thrill of hope for all humanity. Questions thicken the air with every contraction. When will he arrive?How will it happen?Will it take a long time?What will he look like?Will she love …
What are you expecting right now? What promise of God are you carrying in your belly, (im)patiently waiting for the day it will be delivered? As Mary made her way to Bethlehem, she held within her the greatest promise ever made. She was physically and spiritually heavy with expectation. I imagine she was also deeply …
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Or are you speedwalking the mall, getting all sweaty in a dire search for the last Sven plushie in the tri-city area? (Not that I know anything about that.) Don’t worry, it’ll all work out. Always does. But as you’re checking off that gift list, I suspect there’s someone …
Even folks who aren’t Christian know the story of the Nativity: baby Jesus born in a barn, surrounded by critters, visited by wealthy strangers. It’s repeated so often by rote that it starts to lose its wonder, like a word you repeat until you can’t remember what it means. (What is a “dog” anyway?!) Let’s …
As we approach the big day, it’s easy to let the busyness of Christmas narrow our vision until all we can see is our own stress, our own lack, our own drama. But look up. Who around you is hurting? Who’s hungry or cold? Who’s using rent money to buy their kids gifts? Who’s lonely? …
Yesterday, I was that woman crying in the toy aisle at Walmart. But not for the reason you might think. All my daughter asked for from Santa is an Elsa doll. But despite months of walking past aisles full of them, it didn’t occur to me to buy one until last week. Rookie move. Now, …