We all have difficulty relinquishing things that we cherish. I still remember my first ten-speed bicycle. It was a fully equipped, Schwinn beauty that I received as a Christmas present. Not long after I received it, I allowed a friend to borrow it for a quick ride. She proceeded to get hit by a car … Continue reading Advent Week #2: Relinquishing Riches To Make Us Rich
Christmas
Prayer of Confession of Sin – Philippians 2:1-11
Holy and gracious Father, You have a most scandalous way of rescuing proud people: The One who possesses real authority to assert His rights lays them aside to humbly serve and die for us. We beseech Your forgiveness for our pride which has destroyed our ability to truly love and care for others. We confess … Continue reading Prayer of Confession of Sin – Philippians 2:1-11
Why worship at Christmas time?
“Gaze on that helpless object of endless adoration! Those infant hands shall burst our bands and work out our salvation; Strangle the crooked serpent; destroy his works forever, And open set the heavenly gate to every true believer.” – Charles Wesley
Augustine: Why the Incarnation?
During Advent we marvel at the purpose of Christ’s incarnation. He became poor to make us rich. Here is an excerpt from a sermon by Augustine, a North African pastor from the 4th century: “The Word of the Father, by whom all time was created, was made flesh and was born in time for us. … Continue reading Augustine: Why the Incarnation?
Dealing with Depression at Christmas
Many of us deal with discouragement and depression during this season of the year. Some of us deal with deeply flawed marriages, unbelieving children, less than fulfilling careers, singleness, childlessness, broken dreams/relationships, and/or being falsely accused of something we didn’t say or do. One key attribute of God that helps us face these dark days is God’s providence. … Continue reading Dealing with Depression at Christmas
Advent Devotional #3: Receiving the Riches of Grace
Have you ever seen or read about someone who devoted themselves exclusively to the preservation of their own life and their own resources with no regard for others? How would you describe their life? I have one word: Misery! Remember the original Bah-humbug man in “A Christmas Carol ” – Ebenezer Scrooge? He was a … Continue reading Advent Devotional #3: Receiving the Riches of Grace
Compassion at Christmas Time – A Word from Henri Nouwen
“Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to a place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by … Continue reading Compassion at Christmas Time – A Word from Henri Nouwen
Excerpt from Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas Address
"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes [or a little more] need saving from ourselves. From our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person--neither a philosopher nor a general. . .But a Savior, with the power to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the … Continue reading Excerpt from Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas Address
Virgins Don’t Have Babies – C.S. Lewis
One day C.S. Lewis was sitting in his office in the English department when a friend, who was an unbeliever, wandered in. There were carolers below in the courtyard singing Christmas carols and as the two were speaking, they could hear them singing a Christmas carol that contained words about Jesus’ virgin birth. His unbelieving … Continue reading Virgins Don’t Have Babies – C.S. Lewis
The Cradle, The Cross and The Crown
Cradle The cradle of Christmas proves that God is with us - Emmanuel. We are not alone in this world. We are not alone in our guilt, shame and struggle. We are not alone when we walk through the valley of the shadowlands. Cross The cross of Calvary proves that God is for us and … Continue reading The Cradle, The Cross and The Crown
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