How are You Preparing for Christmas?
Christmas is fast approaching; the simple thought can stir up anxiety from considering all the tasks involved in preparing for this major holiday. December can be one big headache if we …
Christmas Love Versus Fear and Loneliness
Christmas love brings to mind warm sentimental scenes created from movies. People are cozy and happy in television specials, getting along with everyone. However, in real life, the …
Christmas Joy Versus Despairing
Waiting for joy. Outcasts on a hillside watching their sheep. Suddenly life changed forever. The angel’s announcement shocked them. But the angel said to them, …
Christmas Hope Versus Darkness
Hope gets stirred up during December through the anticipation Christmas gifts. Kids anticipate their favorite toy or video …
Christmas Peace versus Chaos
Everyday situations and people rob us of peace is we let them. A baby in the night cries and the mom wonders if she’ll ever have a silent night again. The caregiver of a terminally ill person wonders …
Seven Tips to Prepare for Christmas
“Prepare the way for the Lord.” Centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah spoke those words that changed history. God was preparing the way for our Savior. The …
Joy to the World!
Joy breaks into darkness with hope! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord. Luke …
Unwrapping the Gifts of Isaiah 9:6
Gifts are sometimes bought as a result of strolling down the aisles of a store, looking for just the “right gift.” We don’t quite know what the gift should be, but we’re …
Simplicity at Christmas
Simplicity becomes elusive during the Christmas season. We are bombarded continually with advertising to buy something NOW. Shopping with the deadline for the best price brings stress …
The Story of “Joy to the World”
Christmas carols stir many emotions. From the gentle, sweet melodies of “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night” to the exuberant sounds of “O Come all Ye Faithful” and “Angels We Have Heard on High,” we …
Seven Tips to Prepare for Christmas
Prepare for Christmas! Tis the season for massive to-do lists, increased spending, and high expectations. The decorating and shopping have begun. Family get-togethers are formulating. It is easy to …
Welcome Him! Worship Him!
Christmas is more than a temporary season of celebration. It’s the unfolding of the epic drama of God reaching to us, becoming a person like us. In doing so He remained fully God and fully …
Christmas Joy!
Joy is one the great blessings of Christmas. It shows up Christmas services with beautiful music. Joy is in the giving and receiving presents. Joy can be evident in reconnecting with family. True …
Presence at Christmas
Presents or Presence? As Christmas day nears, even the last minute shoppers have presents on their minds. Some people have been planning their presents for months while others are just beginning to …
Traditions at Christmas
Traditions abound during Christmas. There are Advent calendars and wreaths, candy canes, Christmas cookies, caroling, trees, pageants, and Christmas Eve services. Also, there are …
True Christmas Hope
Hope gets stirred up during December through the anticipation Christmas gifts. Kids look forward to having their favorite toy or video game to be under the tree. Families plan get-togethers for their …
Expectations at Christmas
Remember the old-fashioned bubble lights on Christmas trees? After plugging in the tree, the colored lights immediately came on, but there were no bubbles. For a child watching, it seemed like hours. …
Recapture Wonder at Christmas
The wonder of Christmas… twinkling lights, presents, sweet treats, family hugs, candle glow, music, programs, church services, baking, decorating, rushing, wrapping,….Oh no! I just …
Simplicity in Christmas
Simplicity becomes harder to grasp during the Christmas season. We are bombarded with so much advertising beginning before Black Friday. Shopping with the deadline for the best price brings …
Prepare for Christmas
It’s time to prepare for Christmas! Over the next few weeks I’ll be blogging “Words for Christmas.” Each post will highlight one word, offer inspiration and give practical tips …
