If you ask people why we celebrate Christmas, or about the meaning of Christmas, there are three basic answers. “It’s when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!” “Christmas is a time of giving, peace, and joy.” “Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends, a time of good food, and gifts.” There is truth in … Continue reading Please Meditate On Christmas
Mary
The Fulness Of Time Was Come
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5. This is one of my favorite Christmas passages. Notice that Jesus came at just the … Continue reading The Fulness Of Time Was Come
Be Still
Yesterday, friends asked if we could get together before Christmas. We checked our calendars, and there was no date between now and Christmas that we both had open. We set a date for Tuesday after Christmas. The holiday season, busy, busy, busy. People tell me it's good to be busy, that way you're not bored. … Continue reading Be Still
Why Did Christ Die?
Easter is approaching, and it is time to ask, "Why?" "Preacher, what do you mean, 'why?' Easter is the season when Christians celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ." Everyone has opinions, and with those opinions come reasons for those opinions. Even people with opposing opinions have reasons for their own beliefs. Example: … Continue reading Why Did Christ Die?
Generations
I overheard a conversation between a mother and her twelve-year-old daughter about ten years ago. The scene was a parade. A local church had a float in the parade with a man on a cross. "Why is that man hanging on that cross?" "That's church stuff. You don't need to worry about that." Something to … Continue reading Generations
Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Can people see that you are a Christian? If you have a cross necklace and a T-shirt that reads, "Jesus loves you!" you might think you are doing pretty well in letting people know you are a Christian. You may have had a cross tattooed onto your forearm. Surely, a permanent mark on your skin … Continue reading Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Please, Think About Christmas for a Minute
Christmas is less than two weeks away. December is always a hectic month for us. Life is busy enough, but December adds school and church programs (and the practices associated with each), work parties, family gatherings, church suppers, and gift shopping, among other things. The weather does not cooperate either; it is usually drab and … Continue reading Please, Think About Christmas for a Minute
Stuff Or Saviour?
Thanksgiving is past, and there is now less than a month until Christmas. At a recent local Thanksgiving parade, a bunch of people in elf costumes walked in the parade. A mother said to her child, "Why all the elves? Christmas isn't about elves. Christmas is all about Santa Claus!" What momma said reminded me … Continue reading Stuff Or Saviour?
Our Heart And Our Stuff
With many people, if they finish the month with $100 in the bank, things are looking up. On the other hand, if the balance dropped below $100,000, other people would consider themselves broke. I belong to the former group. If you want full disclosure, my checkbook balance as I type this is $47.65. It is … Continue reading Our Heart And Our Stuff
The Importance of a Virgin
Merry Christmas, Everyone! Yeah, I know it is still early December, but we should have Christmas cheer all year long. A few years back, we had a family of children visit our church. It was early December. The kids were starting to work on the Christmas play during Sunday School. The Christmas play was the … Continue reading The Importance of a Virgin
Preacher's Point 