December 12 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:9 (NIV; see 2:9–12) Man, it’s quiet tonight… I’ve been thinkin’, guys. You know what?…until now. I’m gonna blow this two-bit town.And, here we go. I’m gonna …
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7, NET) So, so. Here you are. Shh, now, it’s going to be all right, yes––shh, let’s let your mother sleep. How is …
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews?”Matthew 2:1–2 NET The Wizards of Babylon had been certain they would find the king of the Jews in Jerusalem. They anticipated …
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth . . . . Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy …
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14b, NIV) Jesus stood at the doorway of Joseph’s workshop. He was six years old, covered in dust and full of questions. As usual. “Abba?” “Yes?” “What does it mean?” “What does what mean?” Joseph had learned that the …
Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1–2, NET) It was the longest trip in the world for a couple of youngsters. Two whole days before Christmas and we …
You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19, NET) Papa, are we there yet?” It had been a long, cold trip. The boy’s brother and sister were asleep …
“Today your Savior is born . . .” (Luke 2:11, NET) The gathered armies stood at attention, silent as the night. Waiting. Unseen. Their commander moved into position, listening for the signal. Breathless, they stood, poised to do their duty. Their king had gone on ahead of them. Many men had tried to change the …
“He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him.” (Isaiah 53:2, NET) Christmas, South Texas, 1957. I wanted a Christmas tree—a real one! But we were in …
“He is the image of the invisible God…” (Colossians 1:15, NET). The gifts rise like a multi-colored box-mountain under our Christmas tree—colorfully swaddled in red, green, and silver. I survey the geometric mound, scrutinizing the little tags that say “Reg,” or “Daddy,” or “Budbo” (all me). I’m mildly interested in the other packages, but the …
“Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father” (John 1:14, NET). I can never sleep on Christmas Eve. The secrets I’d tucked away in the attic are now under the tree, wrapped in …
