During this Advent season, we continue our yearlong journey through the Gospel of John as we turn to John 12. Our series up to this point has taken us through the ministry of Jesus. We’ve heard his teaching, witnessed his miracles, and seen the growing …
How to Use This Advent Calendar We invite you to take a journey following the path Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Along the way, pause each day to reflect on Scripture, listen to a song of the season, and prepare your heart …
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” The haunting and ancient song “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” includes words that speak of oppressive, even terrifying situations. Captivity, mourning, tyranny, and gloom are only some of the shadows that darken these verses. Yet, strangely, we are repeatedly told …
Nearly all of us grew up with little habits and behaviors that were repeated over and over in our homes. From year to year, we put out the same decor (mostly), cook the same meals, and often see the same family. We lose a few …
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”. – Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) The Christmas season is a fascinating time for me—one in which I often experience the divine. The …
Matthew 1:22-25 Do we ever experience a Joseph moment? In an earthly sense, Joseph must have been both confused and startled, if not devastated, to learn that Mary was with child. How could this be explained in human terms? Many of us tend to think …
When my infant son was finally able to sit on his own, I set him on my bathroom counter one morning and watched him discover the other baby in the mirror. They laughed together, waving floppy arms and marveling that they were both wearing the …
Like many election years, 2024 has been a year filled with problems, tension, and uncertainty. In the midst of all the metaphorical ice and snow, peace can feel like a far-off dream—completely out of reach. As I think about the second week of Advent (the …
Jesus’s family tree listed in Matthew 1:1-17 reminds us that no family is without flaws and serious shortcomings. The ancestry of Jesus includes the sibling rivalry of Jacob and Esau, Judah fathering sons through a vile act with his daughter-in-law Tamar, and King David, who …
Everyone likes to give a meaningful, life-changing gift to someone for Christmas. If you are a parent or grandparent of a student or future student, you can give the gift of summer camp! Camp is an excellent time for students to break out of their …