Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV Before kids have consumed their Halloween candy, stores launch their Christmas hype, hoping to arouse your gift-giving appetite. Where did gift-giving originate anyway? Historians suggest that in the fourth century Roman world, Christian leaders created a winter festival to celebrate Jesus’s birth. Gift-giving symbolized …
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come…I desire to do your will.” (Psalm 40:7–8, NIV; Hebrews 10:7) What nostalgic Christmas memories dance in your head? Probably not the contents of shiny packages you tore open Christmas morning but forgot by afternoon. Growing up, were you privy to special traditions that made Christmas a season …
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7, NIV) One of my sweetest Christmas memories is riding in the backseat with my four-year-old granddaughter as we oohed and aahed over the dazzling celebration of lights hung throughout her …
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23, NIV) Early that pre-Christmas morning, I darted to my bedroom window, my six-year-old saucer eyes ablaze with wonder. During the night, pristine snow had blanketed our Seattle suburb. Yes! No school! Downstairs, my …
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29–32, NIV) The day after Christmas, 2001, upon news …
“I am the gate . . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9–10, NIV) Jesus identified Himself as the gate, declaring that those who walk through that gate into eternal life will also experience abundant life now. His earthly ministry secured that promise. Jesus revolutionized …
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29–32, NIV) The day after Christmas, 2001, upon news …
“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). Have you been singing “peace on earth, good will to men” but your life is anything but? …
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony . . . I am . . . the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16, NIV). When I was a child, we topped off our tree with a star that glowed, especially when lights were low. Twinkling, glistening, that tree and its star were the …
