All tagged Christmas
Who is God? I return to this question often, especially in this season of Christmas. The advent of Jesus to the world offers an answer—God is a God who lovingly comes close to creation. The incarnational insight is that God desires to be near to all of humanity. God chooses to come and dwell among us.
Should the church wage war against society in order to enforce a more pious remembrance? I think not. But perhaps a better question to ask is this: what would it look like for Christians to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?
Out of fear that Mary was getting too much credit for her role in salvation history, we decided to give her none. Among us, there must not even be a hint of devotion to Mary. In the end, we might not have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, but we do seem to have thrown out the baby’s mother. And in doing so, I think we’ve lost quite a bit.
One idea to reach the community is through outreach events, or “bridge events.” These events are designed to invite neighbors, colleagues, and community members, giving them a chance to come through our doors. The fall and winter seasons are great times to plan some of these events.
Here’s a Christmas playlist full of Fisher favorites for fun and frolic. Maybe a few will inspire musing, meditation, and a little Christmas magic.
But into the darkness, God sends his light. It’s what he has been doing since the beginning. “Let there be light” were the first words spoken.
Our youngest son’s birthday is next week. When he first arrived on the scene, he emanated joy from within. Still does! How might we bomb those around us with joy this week?
Like an insurgency amid a people we are trying to free, Christmas has decided to go to war with our ideas of Christmas. We are, I’m sad to say, fighting a war on two fronts.
As the light of Christ streams in the window, lighting the room of our lives, let us notice what the light illuminates, yet not spend glorious, God-given energy attempting perfection in what is the Lord’s to complete.
Making the meme circuit again this Christmas is a new classic that takes on the almost-30-year-old question: Mary, did you know?
Special days and seasons tend to have a polarizing effect on our emotions and spiritual lives. Do you feel this every year too?
The first lesson of Christmas is to keep showing up even when your miracle hasn’t.
I do not know what the future holds for these kids, but my gifts to them are no longer about Christmas; they’re a statement of my hopes and dreams that they will be great.
Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to get back to the mission of turning the world upside-down.
We tend to think about wilderness as a place, but a shack is a visible reminder that wilderness is a force, always pushing back against order and security.
For the first time in my life I am having to balance the grief that comes with loss and the joy of the Christmas season.
Before we completely throw him under the bus, let’s consider what Santa Claus brings to the Christmas table.
May I suggest that we reevaluate our opinion of the season and use it for the cause of Christ?
Yes, I absolutely am that person. I love Christmas so much that I celebrate it all year long. Here is how I make that work for me.
So, the question before us on Dec. 26 (or on any other day) is, “What does Immanuel (God with us) mean today?”
