I have a love-hate relationship with Nativity sets. I love that Nativity sets help us remember the first Christmas, adding a Biblical touchpoint to our Christmas decor. And yet, I struggle with how traditional Nativity Sets paint an idealized, pristine picture of the first Christmas. Let’s take a moment to peel back the layers and explore the messy reality that commercial Nativity sets overlook before I move to my main point.
Read More
An Advent Journey through Psalm 23: Have you ever wondered, “Why shepherds?” What’s the shepherds’ role in the Christmas narrative? Why did God choose these humble caretakers to witness the birth of the Messiah? In seeking out answers, we’ll find them today in an ancient, potentially unlikely source. We’ll explore the timeless wisdom found in Psalm 23, written by the shepherd David. From that text, we’ll widen our focus to discover the peace offered by our Good Shepherd, Jesus.
Read More
The placement of presents under the tree adds a distinct layer. As each gift is wrapped and placed, Christmas draws closer, building anticipation, and creating a visual countdown for Christmas morning. Although the Christmas tree has no origins in the original Christmas story; a tradition that was taken over by Christianity years ago, it can still serve as a pointer. How so? Bear with me.
Read More
Our family has been enjoying the new Disney+ series titled, The Santa Clauses; a sequel TV series to the three Santa Claus films with actor, Tim Allen. During the writing of this series, a bit of discord between Allen and the Disney writers surfaced.
Read More
How are you doing? Maybe you’re experiencing yet another, COVID-Christmas? Maybe you’re entering into another year of on and off restrictions? We’ve all been watching the constant news cycle reminding us of yet another virus variant, and that the pandemic is far from over. And no matter your stand on masks, vaccines, or the pandemic as a whole, it’s a burden.
Read More
When Pilate asks Jesus if He’s a king, Jesus’ answer may seem a bit strange. Interesting that Jesus points back to an event that we celebrate as Christmas. He states, “For this Purpose” He was born. “For this purpose,” He came into the world. Pilate of course was not at the manger with Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds; but this pointer back to the Nativity scene leads us to a sobering realization…
Read More
Every Christmas Eve we’re invited to the manger. The manger is the centre-piece of every nativity set. And the manger central to the account of the very first Christmas. Have you ever asked why?
Read More
I’m talking about that giddy, uncontrollable joy, where you want to run and jump and shout for joy?
Some of you may feel like this is an unfair question. That this year, 2020, has not been very joyful at all. However, there is one moment of giddy, uncontrollable joy that happened hundreds, if not thousands of times throughout 2020. And that’s when parents find out a baby’s on the way!
Specifically, for those first-time parents! We’ve all seen those videos on social, where a mom plans a pregnancy reveal to her husband on camera. And what does he do? He goes crazy; crying or laughing, sometimes both at the same time. He is overwhelmed with joy!
Then, an even better video-clip is when the couple tells the first-time grandparents. I especially love watching grandmas! She starts dancing around the kitchen or living room like a crazy lady! You can’t help but smile or laugh.
Now imagine for a moment, receiving that baby announcement after 400 years of waiting.
Read More
When do you start preparing for Christmas? Do you start the day after Thanksgiving, or maybe even before that?
Do you start playing Christmas music after the first snowfall? Then immediately move to decorating, wrapping gifts, and Christmas baking?
What if I told you preparations were a matter of the heart? That preparing for Christmas has little to do with what we do, and more to do with why we do it? (Our heart condition leading up to Christmas can make all the difference!)
Read More
Our First Advent: This week, as we enter our first Advent, we’ll discover how much names really do matter. Before we focus on Mary and Joseph, and the Christ-Child. We must first, focus on Elizabeth and Zechariah, and their child, John.
John, who would become a Prophet, and the forerunner of Our Coming Saviour, Jesus.
Read More
Can you believe we’re almost into 2020? Starting a new decade feels more important somehow, doesn’t it? Looking back over ten years brings about a lot of reflection!
Read More
Why We Should Receive Him. At Christmas we celebrate that very first Christmas in Bethlehem. When they, welcomed Jesus Christ into the world. But why did
Read MoreView More