This is the time of year when we make out Christmas lists — things we need, or things we would like — a way to make the gift-buying process a little easier for those we love. Now let me ask you: if you got everything on your list this year, would you be happy?I would. At least for a few days, ... Continue reading
Christmas encounters, Part 4
December 22, 2006 By 2 Comments
Recitative for soprano: "There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night."Andante: "And lo! The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them, and they were sore afraid.""And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for ... Continue reading
Christmas encounters, Part 1
December 8, 2006 By 1 Comment
It was my first Christmas Eve in our new, suburban home, and I was worried. No fireplace. Santa was going to land on our roof, look around in puzzlement and dash away without leaving me a thing.My father assured me that Santa was a pretty clever guy and had learned ways to get into modern ... Continue reading
Christmas, Inc.
December 27, 2005 By
Christmas is over. More than a few tiny tots threw tantrums when Santa brought a PlayStation 2 instead of an Xbox 360. Countless adults were chagrinned to receive a fondue set from that crazy aunt in Poughkeepsie . The customer service desks at Stuff-Mart™ are jammed with snarling Christians, ... Continue reading
Losing anxiety in a time of awe
December 24, 2005 By
For reasons I don't entirely understand this one day of the year seems to compress a lifetime of thoughts and feelings. There is this pressure — from where it comes I don't know — that the day must somehow be perfect, that it must recapture some lost ideal of what Christmas is supposed to be. The ... Continue reading
Handel’s Messiah: A virgin shall conceive
December 20, 2005 By
"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel — God with us." —Isaiah 7:14, NLT Messenger of good news, shout to Zion from the mountaintops! Shout louder to Jerusalem — do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, "Your God is coming!" ... Continue reading
Handel’s Messiah: A highway for our God
December 19, 2005 By
"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her in full for all her sins." Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the Lord through the wilderness. ... Continue reading
Skipping Christmas?
December 7, 2005 By
Whenever Christmas falls on a Sunday, Protestant churches see a decline in attendence. Some mega-churches—Willow Creek, IL; Southland Christian Church, KY; Fellowship Church, TX, and others— have decided to cancel their Christmas services due to lack of interest. David Wayne, the ... Continue reading
