Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
He said, “Gods don’t become humans.”
Many times I have shared the story of how, in 1984, I listened to a missionary describe a conversation he had with a gentleman cab driver from a country that views Christianity with great skepticism. The missionary hoped to learn what it is about the Christian faith that the man found so difficult to accredit.…
Read MoreThe Greatest Gift Ever
Gifts and gifts and more gifts. Many (including me) bemoan the commercialization of Christmas. Without making deliberate effort, it is possible to navigate through the entire Christmas season and never hear a word about the Christ child. Instead, we hear about grand gifts like a new automobile or stunning jewelry. We see ads for mind-blowing…
Read MoreJesus, Why Are You Here?
Yesterday, we celebrated something unprecedented – God took on flesh and pitched his tent among humanity.1 It is unprecedented because it had never happened before, and no other faith throughout history even purports that such a thing could, would, or did happen. Not only do other faiths and cultures not speak of Immanuel (God with us), many find…
Read MoreThe Signs of Christmas
Seeking Signs From God Biblically speaking, signs can be a bit confusing, at least in terms of how God views them. Sometimes he seems to like them. Other times not so much. When Signs are Good God flat-out told Ahaz to ask for a sign. Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the LORD your…
Read MoreWho Am I That Christ Should Love Me?
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” or so says Andy Williams in his 1963 hit from The Andy Williams Christmas Album. This year desperately needs a “wonderful time.” I have witnessed a broad spectrum of reactions to the holiday season in 2020. Some are working harder than usual to enjoy Christmas this year. Others…
Read MoreThe Frustration of a Secularized Christmas
I recently lamented how it has been difficult to find much in the way of truly Christmas-oriented literature and entertainment. For example, just last week I was trying to find a Christmas concert to attend with Alean, and was unable to do so. I found ugly sweater contests, Christmas Bounce-Offs at the local trampoline gym,…
Read MoreThe Advent of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Part 3)
This week is our final look at the advent of Jesus and how he ushered in an era of forgiveness. Today, we will look at the idea of mandating bilateral activity for forgiveness to occur. There is a concept which holds that for person A to forgive person B, person B must repent, and perhaps…
Read MoreThe Advent of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Part 2)
Last week, we looked at the incarnation, the birth of Jesus, as a bold move on God’s part to spread forgiveness to humanity, and to reconcile the human race to himself. Last week’s assertion was that in our striving to be conformed to the image of Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation is integral to that striving.…
Read MoreThe Advent of Forgiveness and Reconciliation
This week, we entered a time for Christ-followers that is traditionally referred to as “Advent,” a celebration of the arrival of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. As with many holidays, this one has been commercialized and all but stripped of its meaning. Much of the populace has no idea that Christmas has anything at all…
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