You probably know that the Christian year begins with the first Sunday of Advent (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) and that Christmas is the second season in this year. Did you know that the “liturgical” season of Christmas is only twelve days long – lasting from Christmas through Epiphany whenContinue Reading
Some parts of the Bible come with questions and assumptions. The story of the visitors from the East is one. “Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod. After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priests from the East came to Jerusalem and inquired of the people, “Where is theContinue Reading
(We have been working our way through the Christmas Story in Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1. Mary and Joseph have been visited by angels, endured very challenging circumstances, and finally watched the birth of the God of the Universe in a shelter for animals, before being visited by local shepherds whoContinue Reading
[For the rest of 2023 I am planning to share posts focused on Advent and Christmas.] “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” (PsalmContinue Reading
What a Week! Hi J,We had an unpleasant surprise on Thanksgiving. All eight of the kids plus wives and grandkids were here and we’re all in and out of the kitchen, cooking and fellowshipping, when the floor starts to give in the kitchen. Pretty soon, we realize it’s more than a softContinue Reading
“A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:3 NIV) “With the season of Advent upon us (Dec 3-24, 2023), we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming as a baby in Bethlehem. The term advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival, and marks theContinue Reading
You probably know that the Christian year begins with the first Sunday of Advent (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) and that Christmas is the second season in this year. Did you know that the “liturgical” season of Christmas is only twelve days long – lasting from Christmas through Epiphany whenContinue Reading
Some parts of the Bible come with questions and assumptions. The story of the visitors from the East is one. “Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod. After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priests from the East came to Jerusalem and inquired of the people, “Where is theContinue Reading
Have you ever found yourself DONE with Christmas as of December 25? You’ve spent weeks (maybe months) doing parties, presents, decorating, cooking, more presents, more gatherings, then church services and you are just done, Done, DONE! with Christmas? Or you’ve studied the Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 &Continue Reading
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV) Let’s look again at the people in our Christmas story. Zechariah and Mary and Joseph – and later the Magi – each received messages from Gabriel, some inContinue Reading