Ecclesiastes 12:10

    Is there anything more precious than a newborn baby? Is there anything more tragic than the loss of one?   That is what makes a part of the story of Jesus' birth so heartbreaking. In Matthew 2 we read about how King Herod tries to get information about the newborn king of the Jews from the wise men that came to celebrate his birth. When warned of his duplicity they flee his territory. The enraged king then orders the death of all newborn boys two and under. The massacre of innocent children was foretold by the line, “ Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more ”.   We must consider why these children were targeted. Simply they looked like Jesus. At least very least they fit the description Herod had of the child.   Truth be told there are still those in positions of power that target for harm those that look like Jesus. They might not really know who Jesus is but they are quick to lump together anyone ...

  For 364 days of the year growing up, I was not the easiest child to get out of bed. If the circumstances required me to be out of bed at a particular time it usually involved cajoling, threats, and occasionally a glass of cold water.  Yet on one day of the year, I was ‘up and at em’ way too early. In fact, it became a requirement for me to yell out from my room “ Can I get up yet ”?  Can you guess what day that was?   If you have not figured it out, it was a day that started with presents under the Christmas tree. You see on that day, there was something worth being awake early.    There is a common phrase in scripture (Ephesians 5:14, Romans 13:11-12, 1 st Thessalonians 5:6-7) that links being asleep to folks in a dangerous spiritual condition. When it comes to the things of the Lord, we are just kind of out of it. We like a kid in the morning, barely awake wanting to stay in bed.     Maybe we would be more awake, if like a kid at...

  It's a time of year when phrases like peace on earth and goodwill to man are thrown about. Yet it is also a time when we overbuy and stress out. A time that reminds us of a once common belief yet also seems to be a time to fight over beliefs. A time of hope and charity but also a time of indulgence and materialism.   The Bible gives us no command to celebrate a certain date as the birth of Jesus. The time people pick doesn’t seem to be close to the indicators we have in the account of his birth. Most of the details of the story get confused and mistaken by the masses.   Yet as one elder told me long ago, “At least they are taking the time to consider Jesus”.   That’s really what makes this time of year special. The more we do consider Jesus the more it drives us to good and loving things. Jesus’ example does make us long for peace, not only between men but also between God and man. His message tells us how much better of a place this is when we love ...

     There is nothing quite like standing over the crib of a newborn baby. All the hope and potential lying there wrapped in a blanket. I’ve been here long enough to have gotten to visit several of our young people on their first days and as I look at them now I see how great they have fulfilled that promise.   Yet that isn’t always the case     I often think about people that guilty of great atrocities, what their parents hoped for on the first day they held them? Surely they didn’t foresee what their bundle of joy would become.   How sad to think that child could grow up to do so much damage to the world.   When those shepherds came upon the child whose crib was a manger so long ago, they had a completely different perceptive. You see they had been told from an utmost reliable source that this kid wasn’t going to harm the world but save it. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which ...

  People love the holidays. Some people a little too much. I mean really do we need to put our trees up before Thanksgiving? This year I heard Christmas music before Halloween! Yet those early birds don’t seem to put much of a damper on things. Why do people love this time of year?   Well, some of it is obvious. Family, faith, and fun. People seem more joyous. Even in the coldest dreariest weather, there is something special in the air.   There are parties. Kids are excited about Santa. People singing. Things are decorated. Yet maybe there is another reason. We give gifts.   Wait, that the worse part right? The chaotic shopping, the commercialization, the cost. However, let’s consider a statement Paul quotes from Jesus in Acts 20:35 'It is more blessed to give than to receive” . We might get caught up on how many presents we have under the tree but true joy, real happiness is found in what we give. For some, this is the only time of year they show charity...