Today, Jude picked up a wooden ring, then tossed it back on the table.
We cheered.
Funny how those little moments are what become stamped in our memory. For Jude, those moments add up and ultimately shape his early life. Every responsive smile, touch, and embrace make a difference in who he is becoming. I [...]
Tag Archive > christmas
Divine Parenting
Christmas Prayer
“Help us, O God, to rightly remember the birth of Jesus that we may share in the songs of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the magi. Close the door of hate and open the door of love around the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desire [...]
Hold Your Breath
I’m going through a phase in which I am having trouble remembering why we do this Christmas thing every year. Now some may immediately say that the answer to that should be easy, especially for a former church youth group junkie who should know better.
The problem here is mostly within me. Thus far, I’ve spent very [...]
Advent Books
Bobby Webb asked me if I had any recommendations for Advent books, so I thought I’d post a few that we have (re)discovered lately. Please add to the comments any recommendations you have for worthwhile readings during Advent.
The Holy Bible
I should start here. I’m finding it much too easy to read other things without spending [...]
Lavish Christmas
“We’ve become too polite. We don’t laugh and cry with God. We’ve forgotten the excitement of the Good News. What greater sign of the extraordinary, lavish, marvelous love of God than the incarnation! God so loved the world and all of us in it that God himself came to live with us as one [...]
Christmas Crankiness
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
In spite of the song sung every Christmas season about how wonderful Christmas is, I have mixed feelings. One one hand, I enjoy the nostalgic feelings that come along with all the decor, the food, and the music. It reminds me of the oblivious days of [...]
Stealing Christmas from the Rich
An acquaintance of mine recently made a decision to shift his whole way of looking at Christmas. He decided that it was foolish to spend $500 on trinkets, socks, and CDs as gifts for friends and family who needed no such things. Instead, he is taking the money he would have spent on [...]
hope of all the earth
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free:
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever.
Now thy [...]
nowhere or now/here
I believe God is trying again to make it clear to me that the most valuable moments are not the ones in the “good ol’ days” or in the looked-forward-to future.
Two readings have emphasized this to me lately. The first one is from Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I borrowed the audiobook from a [...]
christmassconfusion
Last year was a tough year for “Merry Christmas.” It seemed like every corner store was banning the dangerous phrase from being spoken by employees. Instead, a “Happy Holiday” was wished upon us.
There is a HUGE difference between being merry and being happy. Merry people are busy saving the world by making [...]
Jason Barmer
