“Hey, listen up! What do you want first – the good news or the good news? Because I’ve got good news. Good news for all people!” (Luke 2:10, Wobbly Translation Version). The angel told the shepherds that the birth of Jesus was going to bring joy for all the people. Everybody. Not just some. Not […]
God before birth?
Most people in the U.S. do not believe that the Son of God existed before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The results of a LifeWay Research study show that 41% of American adults agree, even though 80% agree that Jesus is the Son of God. Of Christians who attend church four times a month or […]
In Bethlehem’s darkness
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. Now Joseph also went […]
While empires clash
While empires clash authorities bully religions vaunt cultures corrupt families hurt and individuals hope In a secret shelter of wood, hay, and dung, as shepherds wonder and angels praise, the Lord Almighty is birthed in our flesh, inaugurates his holy mission, and the kingdom […]
Peace on earth
Are you familiar with the declaration made by angels who appeared to shepherds when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem? Here it is from various versions of Luke 2:14. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (KJV) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to […]
Who is with us?
Some children should be allowed to change their names as soon as they understand what their parents have done to them, like these: Audio Science Denim Derfla (a girl’s name; but read it backwards) Greedy Hellzel (a mashup of Hazel and Hell’s Angel) Jesusangel (no relation to Hellzel) Little Sweetmeat Moo Munpi (pronounced “moon pie”) […]
The challenge of Christmas
Well, yeah: peace, joy, good will. We all want that. Who wouldn’t? Umm, King Herod wasn’t very happy about it. You remember the story in Matthew 2 – after Jesus was born one of those angels appeared to Joseph and told him to take the child and Mary and run for Egypt because “Herod […]
A poem for Christmas
The Journey Of The Magi by T.S. Eliot ‘A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.’ And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There […]
From the manger to the cross
A shepherd tells his story What a night! What a night that was! I saw things that night that I never imagined I’d ever see! I’m a shepherd. Always have been. Always will be. Shepherding is in my blood. I’ve seen a lot of things out there in the wilderness, in the pastures. Mostly good […]
The story
Christmas is, no doubt, the biggest holiday of the year in America. It’s a gigantic event. And I love the Christmas season – the lights and decorations and music and gift-giving. It’s a special event. But some of it bothers me. Everybody celebrates but many don’t seem to know what’s being celebrated. Some school […]