“Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.” “Only the humble … More QUOTABLES: Bonhoeffer & the Lowly Manger
A throwback piece from years ago. -JB Remember the momentous day of January 20, 2009? All the eyes of the world were set on Washington D.C. for the inauguration of the first African American U.S. President Barrack Obama. Throngs of people flocked to the Capitol to witness this history-making event. Every news camera, every political … More Seriously, Why Shepherds?
This was passed along to me – a very powerful image to ponder in this season of waiting, expecting, longing and hoping for the Christ who steps into the Darkness of our fractured world. -JB From Ben Sternke: The painting below was created by Sister Grace Remington of Our Sister of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa. Try … More O Eve!
Perhaps we’ve let the graceless moralism of too many Santa songs taint our view of the One who truly comes to town on Christmas. For the miracle of the incarnation is for the naughty and nice. He’s already made His list and He’s checked it twice, and all are on it until we choose to reject His gift and thereby remove our own name from it. … More Scandalous Incarnation!
A friend passed this reflection on the Magi along to me. I’m not sure who wrote it but it’s a good challenge. -JB I can see you there, you scholar, you teacher of the law, with your important position in Herod’s court. Busy, busy, busy with the work of the day. The court stirs…a contingent … More Scholar or Magi?
A great rethink regarding the innkeeper in the Christmas pageant by Mike Glenn found at Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed blog. Most of us have heard of the innkeeper in the Christmas story. Poor Mary, pregnant and tired, has been dragged to Bethlehem by Joseph because that’s where his family is from and according to Caesar … More A Place to Start (Mike Glenn)
Repost from 2013. -JB Have you listened carefully to and reflected on the meaning of the words of the Christmas carols we’ve been singing this past week? Do they accurately capture the true meaning of Advent? Well, some are better than others. A recent article by Peter Leithart at Credenda Agenda probes this topic interacting … More How N.T. Wright Stole Christmas (Peter Leithart)
We all have some explaining to do, and maybe some repenting. Here’s the deal. Imagine grandpa’s turning 100 years old, and you’ve spent countless days planning the most magnificent birthday celebration. Invitations have gone out to hundreds of guests. A towering cake and a great feast from renowned catering service has been ordered. The banquet … More Poor Grandpa’s Epiphany
-From C.S. Lewis, The Joyful Christian, p. 50-52: The Son of GOD became a man to enable men to become sons of God. We do not know—anyway, I do not know-—how things would have worked if the human race had never rebelled against God and joined the enemy. Perhaps every man would have been “in Christ,” would have shared the … More Tin Soldiers & The Incarnation
“[Jesus Christ], who being being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil 2:6-7). “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness” (John 1:14). What words are able … More A Christmas Parable
“One goes out — and they all go out!” This is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of working with Christmas lights. For the whole string of lights to shine brightly and beautifully they ALL need to be in healthy working order. If one light goes out, the whole string suffers. God has created us to … More Christmas Lights 3: A Closed Circuit Community
An oldie from the Daily Illumination archives. -JB Gather around little boys and girls. It’s time for our annual reading of the Christmas story — this time with a twist. I’ve seen many a nativity scenes and Christmas pageants over the years with wooden stables, sheep and goats, ox and ass, and Mary and Joseph … More The Red Dragon in the Nativity
“Do you hear what I hear?” Yep, if what you’re hearing is crying kids, a cranky parent (i.e, me), crowded malls and cringe-worthy Christmas tunes on the radio (you know, that one with all the synthesizers or the one that keeps repeating “Simmmmmply haaaaaaaving a wonderful Christmastime”). Let’s be honest, it’s hard to hear anything amidst … More Do You Hear What I Hear?
From the DI archives. -JB In part 1 of my “Christmas Lights” series I explored the Ongoing Epic of God and His Flickering Lights. The Bible tells the story a humanity “unplugged” from the life of God by sin, and how Jesus came to earth to reconnect us to God by dying on the cross … More Christmas Lights 2: Flipping the Switch
From the DI archives. -JB There is a scene in the classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where Clark Griswald (Chevy Chase) is ready to show off his creativity and hard put into decorating the house with thousands of lights. After the drum roll he plugs in his precious lights only to find….nothing. They refuse to shine. … More Christmas Lights 1: The Saga of God’s Flickering Lights
I owe more to N.T. Wright for my understanding of faith and the Bible than anyone else. Period. If you’ve never read a book by Wright, this might be a nice way to ease into his style and brilliance this season of Advent. From the publisher: Advent for Everyone: A Journey with the Apostles provides … More The Wright Christmas Gifts
Two voices spoke from single face: One named truth, the other grace. Truth was stern, direct and strong, Truth declared the right from wrong. Truth proclaimed the pure and right, Truth distinguished dark from light. Everything he spoke was true; Truth had perfect point of view. Overwhelmed by all he said, I sat, I wept … More Truth & Grace (by Darrelyn Tutt)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above,” James the brother of Jesus writes. This Advent we’re exploring the divine gift of wisdom that God desires to place under our trees, or into our hearts. In James 3:14-16, we see what the counterfeit wisdom of the world looks like and produces. It is characterized by selfish-ambition, jealousy … More Wisdom is Pure (Jas. 3:17)
Are you seeking that good and perfect gift this Christmas? While the crowds chase after bargain deals at the malls on fitness watches, iPads, and other treasures, we’re inviting our congregation to ask for the gifts that don’t come in boxes under a tree this Christmas. James says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” … More 7 Good & Perfect Gifts
Light of lights! All gloom dispelling, Thou didst come to make thy dwelling Here within our world of sight. Lord, in pity and in power, Thou didst in our darkest hour Rend the clouds and how thy light. Praise to thee in earth and heaven Now and evermore be given, Christ, who art our sun … More Quotables: St. Thomas Aquinas
Martin Luff, the Deliberate Disciple (a great blog I recommend!), pointed out this great article by David Fitch about finding space in our busy lives to meet with God. This is especially timely for this season of Advent: Recently, I was meeting in the corner booth (of the local McDonald’s) with the men in my … More Bore the Hell out of ’em this Christmas
“Keep Us Believing” by Danny Evans Let us move toward The Lord as a reward this season as we choose to address our brothers by blessing our brothers. This time we dare to prepare for the birth of Maker of the earth. It’s a season we make the choice to hear His still, small voice. … More “Keep Us Believing” by Danny Evans
“I am the LORD’s servant,” Mary answered. “Be it unto me as you will” (Luke 1:38). “Nothing impresses us more than the calmness with which, after the first trouble was past, the virgin received the message of the angel. She was not dazzled nor excited by her glorious future. She was not touched by any … More QUOTABLES: The Boldest Words Ever Uttered (Stopford Brooke)
Jeremy L. Berg 