“With Care” by Danny Evans This Christmas season, let us not commit holiday treason by excluding anyone from celebrating the real reason. It doesn’t matter how long someone has known God; give everyone the nod. Some people will enter under a steeple for the first time this December, so give them Him to remember. While … More “With Care” by Danny Evans
“Glee” by Danny Evans This time comes but once a year, but let me make it clear that everyday we should hold the real meaning dear. This is the time of Jesus’ birth, who would give us worth here on this earth. It’s okay to give gifts, but let us not drift from what it … More Glee by Danny Evans
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”
This is a repost from a couple years ago. -JB The Christmas story is all too familiar for most Christians today. We’ve seen two dozen pageants, have basically memorized Matthew and Luke’s accounts of wise men, shepherds, overbooked inns and barnyard manger scenes. The problem with familiarity, as Dallas Willard puts it, is that “Familiarity … More Merry Parachoresis! A Christmas Reflection
What do we make of the story of the wise men following a magical star from the East to the newborn king in Bethlehem? Sound a bit far-fetched and fairytale-ish? I used to think so as well. Many deny the possibility of a supernatural explanation to begin with. This is unnecessary. If God can bring … More The Star of Bethlehem: One Theory
A while back I picked up and read a couple lesser-known Christmas reflections written by C.S. Lewis compiled in the book God In The Dock. I found his little rant called “What Christmas Means to Me,” written back in the 1950s(!), quite spot-on accurate as I nursed a stomach flu on the couch all day … More “What Christmas Means To Me” (C.S. Lewis)
I miss the iMonk, Michael Spencer, whose cancer diagnosis came around Christmas in 2009. He now celebrates Christmas with the saints above and One who came down to earth to save us that first scandalous Christmas two thousand years ago. Here’s an excerpt from a classic Advent sermon by the iMonk called “The Unlikely Outreach … More iMonk: The Scandal of Christmas
Warning: If you don’t want your traditional understanding of the first Christmas challenged then do not read any further. If you are a historically minded person who loves getting the real story behind the many popular myths, then Dr. Ben Witherington, a very reputable New Testament scholar and ancient historian, corrects some of our misconceptions … More The Real Christmas Story
The gentleman who drew this is Joe Castillo. He went to Asbury Theological Seminary.He did this during a chapel service. It was fascinating – he told the Gospel story – each part of Jesus’ life – and he was drawing the story as he told it.The longer you look at this picture, the more you … More ‘Facing’ the Christmas Story
From Michael Patton at Parchment and Pen: “The traditional date for the birth of Christ from as early as Hippolytus (ca. A.D. 165-235) has been December 25th. In the Eastern Church January 6th was the date for not only Christ’s birth, but also the arrival of the Magi on Christ’s second birthday, His baptism in … More When is Jesus’ Birthday?
Dear Jesus, It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons … More A Christmas Prayer (by Max Lucado)
Here’s a Christmas poem I wrote back in 2003. -JB WHEN HOLINESS CAME DOWN Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright But was it really? There must have been some serious noise in the Heavenlies as demons shrieked and Satan yelled seeing imminent his utter defeat. Holy perhaps was the night before … More When Holiness Came Down
Peace that passes all understanding to you, today. Another shooting in an elementary school in Connecticut this morning. While it wasn’t their school, I shudder at the thought of my daughter-in-law and 5 year old grandson having to deal with the aftermath of something that horrific. One of my best friend’s 17 year old step … More Advent 2012 – Peace in the Pain (by David Brown)
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, … More Advent 2012 – Weariness (by David Brown)
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1 This is a lengthy post but I do hope you will take time to read it. And before you do, go back and read yesterday’s post. I received the following story from a long-time friend who serves … More Advent 2012 – Genealogy (by David Brown)
“I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can … More Advent 2012 – Contentment (by David Brown)
This is great! From Rob Merola If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at … More 1 Corinthians 13: Christmas Version
John 5:1-15 “Jesus went…to a pool (in Jerusalem) where a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked … More Advent 2012 – Personal Touch (by David Brown)
Luke 5:27-29: “…Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me’, Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were … More Advent 2012 – Follow (by David Brown)
John 8:12: (Jesus said) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. This Christian season we prepare for the “advent of Jesus”. Our preparations take on many forms. We prepare for Christmas … More Advent 2012 – Preparation (by David Brown)
One of my favorite Christmas songs — with special meaning for me this first Christmas as a daddy. :)
Here are some of the Old Testament prophecies that foretold Jesus’ birth compiled by Mark Driscoll: 4000 BC: Adam and Eve receive the prophecy that the Messiah (Jesus) would be born of a woman. Promise: Genesis 3:15 – “‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise … More Christmas Foretold by the Prophets
We had a little photo shoot on our cabin getaway this past week with PB. Too bad we already ordered our Christmas cards, because these would have been great! Needless to say, this is a very special Christmas for Keri and I. A healthy baby boy, full of life and joy, and already blessing so … More Treasuring All These Things
Kingdom Harbor 