For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9, NIV) Winter brings darkness. But it also brings snow and the blinding light of sunshine on snow, which can transform the whole world. “I have a message from God in my heart,” David begins in Psalm 36, “concerning the

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NIV) Christmas brings surprises. A favorite is big packages with tiny gifts, unwrapped to the laughter of family. But small

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2, NIV) Ephrata, my hometown, lies peacefully in central Washington State. In 1892 as the Great Northern Railroad completed its

…you were redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world… (1 Peter 1:18–20, NIV) Christmas begins within the triune God—the Father’s planning, the Son’s choosing, the Spirit’s moving—before creation began. The Incarnation and sacrifice of the Savior is the final

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said . . .” (Genesis 1:1–3, ESV) Revelation of God as Trinity is the

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he looked upward to heaven and said, ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you’” (John 17:1, NET). One of the first words from a baby’s mouth is “Daddy.” And, in a caring family, even before words, infants understand themselves as

“You were redeemed … [by] the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world” (1 Peter 1:18–20, NIV). Christmas begins within the triune God—the Father’s planning, the Son’s choosing, the Spirit’s moving—before creation began. The Incarnation and sacrifice of the Savior is the final