On Christmas Day, we’re beginning to see the promise fulfilled
Merry Christmas from Dean Collins!
How we can experience the fullness of joy promised by Christ
Christmas is a season of joy. And joy, real and divine joy, comes to us as we abide in Christ and follow his teachings.
Gratefully, today we sing what many for centuries only said
The angels spoke their praise. Today we gladly sing it. And it’s a message not limited to the familiar Christmas Bible texts.
We can do better than celebrate: Stop, ponder, contemplate, tremble
The gospel is born and bathed in mystery. At Christmas, let’s not take the wonder for granted.
Three prayers, three gifts—nothing could be better at Christmas!
The little letter of Jude gives us the perfect Christmas list: “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”
Peace, the promise of Christmas, comes through relationships
When we have a right relationship with God through Christ, then his peace fills us and makes it possible for us to bring peace to others.
Five lessons about abiding from just one chapter in Scripture
Dean Collins quoted a favorite Christmas hymn, told us a little about how it was written, and challenged us to see its truth in one chapter from 1 John in this post that first appeared in 2021.
‘Love not the world’—even in the gift-giving month of December?
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. “
Our experience of Christmas can go beyond our physical senses
Decorating for Christmas is usually a sensory experience. Christ’s first coming involved all the senses, too.
We celebrate as always, but sometimes with a longing for what’s next
Most of us have trouble waiting, especially for Christmas. Even more challenging is our wait for the second advent of Jesus.
At Advent we look back, but the greater joy is in looking ahead
Advent includes some looking back at the promises and prophecies of God. But Advent also always prompts us to wait and to hope for something yet to be revealed.
Whether or not your tree is down, God’s offer to you remains
Some find any celebration of Jesus as little more than an irritant. But for us who believe, Christmas is only the beginning of his offer to us.
Christmas is over, but not the work God has for us in the new year
Go ahead and relax now that the Christmas scurry is over. And while you’re resting, think about all God may have for you to do in 2023.
The wonderful spirit of Christmas—a gift we need all year long
Why don’t we all ask that question Ray Charles asks in his famous song: “Why can’t it remain all through the year?”
Bound as a baby, surrendered for a lifetime, setting us free
Over and over Jesus allowed sinful man to bind him, lead him, send him, take him, flog him, strike him, deliver him, and crucify him. No resistance, only humility and surrender motivated by love.
Join the angels in a ‘hallelujah’ for Christmas and the year to come
The words of this grand chorus come solely from scripture. Most of the lines come straight from the book of Revelation. You can hear the magnificent melody as you read this line from Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Glory to God in all Jesus did and does, not only in his birth
The angels sang “Glory to God,” but Jesus demonstrated God’s glory in all he did and said.
What is your mood this Christmastime? And what would improve it?
There always seems to be a frenetic pace in December. Everything we were doing the first 11 months of the year continues, but December adds a significant amount of extras.
The hope of the ages, “peace on earth,” will be our reality someday
There is only one pathway to peace on earth. And the treaties and diplomacy of human governments will never achieve it, at least not for long.
More than holiday magic, Christmas offers us the opportunity to love
We need more than magic at Christmas, and Dolly seems to know this. So does the apostle John.