It took me decades and far too many mistakes to understand that love, in essence, is a promise. I mean love in the Biblical sense. There are other versions out there, of course. Oftentimes I hear people use the word, when really they mean something closer to enjoyment or infatuation,
Continue readingA beautiful Hymn recites these words: Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with angelic host proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’ Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King.’ Many may say that they don’t have a good reason for joy since their
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One of the main tactics of the enemy is to convince us we are already receiving from the world what is promised in Christ, and peace is no exception. To say the same thing differently, Satan wants to sell you cheap imitations of the real things God alone can give.
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Traditionally, in this first week of the advent season before Christmas, we call to mind the hope we have in Christ, hope in what many have called the third advent. Christ has come incarnate, born of the virgin Mary, the first advent. He has come into each Christian’s life, the
Continue readingThere’s a lot of talk in the church, and rightfully so, about the death of Jesus Christ, his atoning death in our place which is the source and wellspring of our salvation from sin. We wear crosses on our necks, and tell people “Jesus died for you.” This is good.
Continue reading“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored
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Nothing brings joy quite like food. As Scripture makes clear, food brightens the countenance (1 Sam. 14:27), revives the spirit (1 Sam. 30:12), strengthens the heart (Ps. 104:15), and signifies God’s favor (Ps. 23:5; Lk. 1:53). Where food is, rejoicing often follows (Deut. 12:7), and our daily need for food
Continue readingI find myself, in this stage of my life, learning many things from children’s books. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my son’s favorites. It’s always a meaningful lesson, but the Grinch seems particularly on-the-nose this year. I imagine the virus as some green monster lurking
Continue reading“Peace on earth, and goodwill toward men,” the angel said when Jesus was born. Peace on earth is something you hear around this time of year. It’s a well-wish, like Merry Christmas, and so we strip the phrase of its power—not maliciously, but we do well when we remember the
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