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You Don’t Need Me. I’m Not the Good Tidings of Great Joy
It’s here! Christmas has arrived, once again, to deliver that crucial, easily forgotten message to every Christian everywhere: It’s not about you. Once, maybe twice a year, the Body of Christ stops striving long enough to remember Jesus. To be fair, many congregations press pause for a few moments weekly or monthly to do that …[ read more ]
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A Different Christmas
A different Christmas. We’re different, those of us who follow Jesus. For a time, we might have forgotten that, but there’s no forgetting now. Embrace the truth without complaint. Discover the treasure hidden in being a different people, set apart, and called to a holy, unusual Way. We celebrate a different Christmas than what others …[ read more ]
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How to Endure Another Scary Christmas
Here we are, facing another scary Christmas. Fear from COVID. Fear from disagreements about COVID. Fear from conspiracies, false news, and hoaxes. Conflict in the country. Conflict in the church. Divided families. Divided households. And all this on top of rampant inflation, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, crime, and unrest. How do we endure? First, …[ read more ]
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Yes, Virginia, some people find Christmas irritating
Do you know an Ebenezer Scrooge? They’re not just fictional characters. Ebenezers walk among us every day. Yes, Virginia, some people find Christmas irritating, aggravating, and even loathsome. In the movies, these people end up embracing the joy of the season, melting at the special gesture of a loved one, a meaningful gift, or a …[ read more ]
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When Christmas Has Nothing to Do with You
This season isn’t about you, is it? What do you have to do with Jesus? Nothing, really. Most days you don’t stop even once to consider what Jesus would do or what He thinks of your life. You’re not against Him or angry with Him. You’re not consciously running from Him. He’s just not on …[ read more ]