The orange glow from my bedside clock mocks me as I blink away the hours. I roll over and groan. I know I should get up, but the coziness of my blankets and the weight of my heart keep me in bed. It is the Christmas season, and I feel weary. There are many reasons…
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46 ESV). I’m sure we can all agree on one thing: the past few years have been filled with darkness. Whether that darkness has entered your life in the form of job loss, financial strain,…
There’s no place like home for the holidays, or so the song goes. We envision snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. Instead, we sometimes get scheduling conflicts and family drama. Going home for the holidays can be complicated when you’re dealing with parents, siblings, in-laws, children, and all sorts of relatives who have…
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. (Isa. 60:1 ESV) In midsummer, it’s pleasant to forget how I will mourn when I suddenly notice the daylight hours shortening. By December, I’m counting the days until the winter solstice. Even if I can’t see daylight increasing…
I look forward to the first snow of the year with the elation of a child. There is something magical about watching those first flakes float gracefully to the ground. Snow puts me in the holiday spirit, and I find myself anticipating all that Christmas brings: time spent with family, decadent food, colorful light displays,…
We’ve all been there: A long-awaited family vacation, a special event, an important milestone birthday…a highly anticipated celebration. And then, out of the blue, something totally unexpected happens and ruins everything (at least from our human perspective). Can you think of the last time a special occasion or holiday season let you down? Our human…