The Gift of Worship

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 NIV We often associate the wise men with the gifts they presented the Christ child: gold, frankincense and myrrh.ContinueContinue reading “The Gift of Worship”

Jesus: The Gift We Needed

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16 NIV) Ever since our twin nephews were born, we’ve gone to their parents for gift suggestions because they know what the boys need best. Of course weContinueContinue reading “Jesus: The Gift We Needed”

Rediscovering the Christ of CHRISTmas

“He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared forContinueContinue reading “Rediscovering the Christ of CHRISTmas”

Christmas: A Journey of Faith

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 NIV) It doesn’t make sense, does it? Even Mary, who was chosen to be the mother of God’s Son, didn’t get it. “How will this be,” MaryContinueContinue reading “Christmas: A Journey of Faith”

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your CHRISTmas!

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).  (John 10:10 AMPC) I first fell in love with the story of How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss while teaching SundayContinueContinue reading “Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your CHRISTmas!”

A Thrill of Hope

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5 NIV) Christmas is the season of perpetual hope. It began on that first Christmas when Israel was expecting a King who would deliver them fromContinueContinue reading “A Thrill of Hope”

No More Silent Nights

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15 NIV) After 400 years of prophetic silence, the Word who was with God, and was God, became flesh and dwelt with the world He had created (John 1:1-2, 14). So imagine Israel’s joy when God finallyContinueContinue reading “No More Silent Nights”

Follow the Light

Jesus…said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV) One of the things that I dread about winter is driving in pitch-dark nights. So imagine my joy and sense of relief when I finally see light at theContinueContinue reading “Follow the Light”

Be the Temple of God

Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.  (Ezra 6:16 NIV) For many years, God’s people longed to build Him a place to dwell in and many times He reminded them that He could not be confined to a place.ContinueContinue reading “Be the Temple of God”