This Christmas reflection examines the crucial distinction between fleeting religious experiences and the enduring life of discipleship. Pastor Jeremy Berg contrasts the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Magi to a singular moment of worship, with the Morning Star mentioned by Peter, which symbolizes the necessary, continuous rise of Christ within the believer’s heart. … More Two Stars: Super-Surrender to Supernova
Who is Amanda?” The reader might be wondering. Amanda is indeed a fictional character I created. Yet, a bit of Amanda lives in most of us. Let me try to describe her a bit more. … More Who is Amanda, really?
Last night as I drifted off to sleep, my eyes beheld a uniquely bright start through the skylight window above my bed. Above my deep and dreamless sleep, a not-so-silent Star went by and was waiting for me this morning to teach me one more lesson before heading home this Christmas Eve. … More Christmas on Mt. Mystic 6: Morning Star
O, Morning Star, rise in our hearts this Christmas Eve, show us the Way to live in your light and display your glory each and every day. Join us for Christmas Eve worship at 6PM. … More O Morning Star, Rise in Us this Christmas!
In the fullness of time God came again to His people. No longer cloaked in a terrifying tornado, this time His presence dwelled in a teething toddler. His radiant glory, instead of flashes of lightning across the eastern sky, now shone from the eyes of a humble baby in a manger. … More Christmas on Mt. Mystic 5: The Cloud
I drifted off to sleep reading a copy of A Christmas Carol by Dickens and didn’t sleep well, expecting to be awoken by three spirits ready to lead me on an inner journey. I was relieved to wake up to the bright sunshine of Mt. Mystic rather than the gloomy darkness and shadowy streets of Dickens’ 19th century London. But my relief was short lived. … More Christmas on Mt. Mystic 4: Unexpected Visitor
“What if all of my quiet times with God could be so electric and real? What if my prayers felt less like a floppy paper airplanes crashing into the carpet, and more like bright bolts of lightning flashing across the sky?” … More Christmas on Mt. Mystic 3: Dazzling Light
Well, here I am in the cozy surroundings of Eli and Sophia’s log cabin. A neighbor down the road, a carpenter by trade, was sent by Eli to prepare a fire for when I arrived. All I had to do was strike one match and the fire was burning warm and bright. The crackling and glow are already calming my restless soul. … More Christmas on Mount Mystic 2: Arrival
Amanda answered the phone to hear the voice of her great uncle on the other end. She is exhausted and at the end of her rope at work and the end of her patience at home.Uncle Eli and Aunt Sophia offer her a retreat at their cozy cabin on Mt. Mystic during the weeks leading up to Christmas. … More Christmas on Mount Mystic 1: Invitation
For me, Advent is a season tinged with awe and wonder, and the enemy is the tyranny of less important time commitments that steal all our time and prevent us from staring at the lights on the Christmas tree, pondering the Star of Bethlehem, imagining ourselves into the shoes of the shepherds and wise men, Mary and Joseph, and rediscovering the childlike wonder of the season. … More A Christmas Escape
Jeremy L. Berg 