December 2021

TODAY, I WANT TO TELL YOU about one of the most beautiful nativity scenes I’ve ever seen. I discovered it several years ago, in rural Reading, Kansas.

EVERYONE BEGINS the New Year with grand resolutions for overcoming bad habits that have piled up during the past year. For some it’s a matter of trying to shed some pounds with great hopes of regaining what we looked like when we were 18 or 25 or even in our 30s. It just depends on your current age and how realistic you might be. For me, I’d take the look of when I was in my 30s, but would be ecstatic if I could shed the weight that’s been gained during the past year.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON is called the most wonderful time of the year but between buying gifts, hosting parties, trying not to break your healthy habits (or the bank), and attending family gatherings, it can also be the most stressful time of the year. Once again, we are trying to figure out what to give people who already have everything they need. Come to think of it, I’m trying to understand how we went from the wise men bringing gifts to Christ as an act of worship to the ritual of giving gifts to each other? I don’t remember Mary and Joseph exchanging presents with the shepherds, or Bethlehem being decorated with tinsel and ribbons. Yes, there is widespread affection for the magical stories and traditions that we are accustomed to, but we also understand that much of our holiday festivities have little to do with Christ. Not to mention that children are taught that Santa has the same abilities as God. Nonetheless, for those who would rather focus on a more spiritual meaning, we are reminded of the angel’s message to Mary in Luke 1:35, “The holy child that you will give birth to will be called the Son of God.”

IMAGINE A HURRICANE of fire traveling at 80 mph with gusts to 103 mph. Imagine going to help your neighbor and returning to find your home burned down.