Have you ever thought about the rich history behind some of our favorite Christmas hymns? O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a beautiful example of how the Church has worshipped through the centuries. Originally a Gregorian chant, this hymn was rediscovered by Anglican priest John Mason Neale (1818–1866) and sung by monks preparing their hearts…
The theme of the fourth week of Advent is love. When we light the fourth candle on the Advent wreath we are reminded that Love Incarnate came for us. The Apostle John reminds us that, “This is love: not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning…
The third week of Advent is the week of joy. But, for many, the holidays bring up many feelings, but joy is not one of them. Stress, financial pressure, hurry, strained family relationships, and unmet expectations can choke the joy right out of us. However, joy is a key element in the birth of Christ….
When I am having friends or family over for a visit, I get excited and prepare. I think about what I’m going to make for dinner. I imagine how I want the table to look. I make sure the house feels comfortable and clean. In other words, I prepare. The second week of Advent is…
I didn’t grow up celebrating Advent. When I was little we put up a tree, got presents, and had a Christmas Eve service. It seemed to me that most grown-ups were stressed over Christmas and thankful when it was all over. It wasn’t until much later, as an adult, that I discovered the beauty of…
I love everything about Christmas and I’m very sentimental. The other night at dinner, Steve and I were reflecting on all the Christmases past. The years we spent Christmas in Sudan when we were missionaries. The year we paid our youth pastor to dress up as Santa Claus and visit our house. The year the…