“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14 CSB) I think one thing we can all agree on is that 2020 has left a lot to be desired. I don’t think anyone thought, when the ball dropped on December 31, 2019, that…
We are in the season of Advent. I normally love this season, yet this year brings a heaviness unlike any other in most of our lifetimes. Let’s explore how we can look for joy despite the darkness this December, and let’s begin with Luke’s words. “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from…
Does your schedule in December look more like a battle plan than a family calendar? Does the thought of all the expectations of the holiday season fill you with dread rather than delight? With concerts, parties, family events, church activities, decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping, the season of Advent might seem more like a marathon to-do…
I, for one, adore Christmas. I love the music–the jazzy, the cheezy, the carols–the twinkling lights, the togetherness of family, the gifts, and the food. Oh, the food … but, before I start drooling and daydreaming of that most wonderful time, I want to awaken my heart to what truly matters. Who truly matters. You…
I’m sitting in my dining room this morning as I write this. It might be my favorite room in our house because it’s the only one that stays clean. We recently moved to Korea, and have finally settled into an American-style home. I have decorated and made things as comfortable as I can for the…
Every time I read about Mary’s conversation with the angel who was sent to tell her she was chosen to carry the Savior of humanity, I’m amazed. Her simple surrender in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant . . . May your word to me be fulfilled,” transformed the world. We don’t know if…