Christmas Day Thoughts to Consider We associate so many symbols with Christmas—both spiritual and secular. From the ridiculous to the sublime. From a magical North Pole to the modest rural town of Bethlehem. From eight reindeer to three Wise Men. And from...
The Splendor of the King I will never forget my first tour of Buckingham Palace in London years ago after a business trip. The splendor of the gilded rooms, the jewels, and the garden were all breathtaking. Now, when I think of the word splendor, what usually...
The Many Names of Mary’s Baby Does your full name include a first, middle, and last name? Perhaps you also have a nickname. Do you know the meaning of each one? Parents often choose a name for their baby based on its meaning. Names in the Bible also had special...
Where’s Your Christmas Spirit? Which describes how you view the month of December? Are you counting the days until December 25 with joyful anticipation? Or are you counting the days till December 26 when the hoopla will finally be over? Are you having trouble...
The Dreaded Christmas Letdown Christmas is my favorite holiday. Even as I continue to adjust to missing my husband—knowing a piece of my heart resides in heaven—I still love Christmas. Sappy movies with happily-ever-after endings. Hectic schedules punctuated by...
A Christmas Carol Message: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” We don’t often incorporate the word herald in our daily conversations. Yet we sing about herald angels each Christmas. Why are the angels in the biblical Christmas account referred to as “herald” angels...
A Christmas Carol Message: “Silent Night” The quintessential Christmas carol, “Silent Night,” has an interesting backstory. Written 200 years ago for a guitar accompaniment because the church organ required repair, the poignant lyrics and melody are still a...
Christmas Carol: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” When I think of Christmas carols, I think of joy. Celebration. Cheer. But the Advent season (the four weeks leading to Christmas day) is often ushered in with a song that can be described as melancholy. Mournful....
Christmas Carol Messages: Joy to the World As the Christmas season draws to a close, it seems appropriate to end this series of Christmas carol messages with a carol that was not written for Christmas! Did you know that one of the most beloved Christmas carols...
Christmas Carol Messages: O Come All Ye Faithful Christmas is a time of coming together. Families reunite around a Christmas tree and a tabletop laden with holiday treats. Church congregations join in celebrating with candle-lit services. Communities come...
Christmas Day Thoughts to Consider We associate so many symbols with Christmas—both spiritual and secular. From...
The Splendor of the King I will never forget my first tour of Buckingham Palace in London years ago after a...
The Many Names of Mary’s Baby Does your full name include a first, middle, and last name? Perhaps you also have...