This December our guest is Charles Martin. Charles is the author of 13 novels, (several of which I have recommended in the past). When I saw he had applied his novelistic mastery to this tender moment in the Christmas story--on Earth and in Heaven--I was spellbound. This piece was first published on his website and eventually found its way into his newest book. He graciously gave me permission to share it here. Grab a little piece of quiet, and settle in for this one. You're going to love … [Read more...]
The Family Behind Bars
Two years ago I had the privilege of speaking to an extraordinary church. Like many churches who find themselves meeting in borrowed buildings, this little group met in a cafeteria. Folding chairs were arranged in rows in lieu of church pews. A long line of stainless steel counter-top stretched behind the congregants where a sound booth ought to have been. The words to Christmas hymns were not projected onto a flimsy silver screen, but onto stark white painted cinder blocks. Congregants … [Read more...]
How to Celebrate Advent…for all ages
If you’ve been around here very long you know I love the Advent season. Though I didn’t know much about it growing up, it’s been a life-giving practice in my adulthood. If “Advent” is new to you, it’s simply the four week period leading up to Christmas. Churches often have a special scripture reading and light a candle each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Individuals and families might light candles on an advent wreath and read a daily or weekly devotional that prepares their heart to … [Read more...]
On that First Christmas…
On that first Christmas, just moments after Jesus was born, it probably appeared to Joseph that the long-expected Messiah had arrived at an inappropriate place with no fanfare or announcement at all. Between the baby's delivery and the shepherd's disturbance, Joseph might have thought he was the only one. God had hidden from Joseph many future events. He knew Jesus was God’s Son, born to save His people from their sins. And for Joseph, at this moment, that was all God chose to show him. And … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas 2017
Merry Christmas from my crew to yours! I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to entertain you with a Letellier family parody on "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Unfortunately, (or perhaps fortunately!) my creativity was only good for six days worth of parodies. You'll have to work a little to fit the traditional melody around the Letellier lyrics, and you'll have to start in the middle of the song... 6 months of basketball. 5 cell phones. 4 licensed drivers. 3 ball game … [Read more...]