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Five Good Reasons to Cry this Christmas (maybe six)
Can you still hear your parents’ voices echoing from childhood? “If you’re going to cry about it, go to your room.” “Now, there’s nothing to cry about.” “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” “Things happen. There’s no sense crying about it.” Our human parents had their ways, needs, and struggles. Not …[ read more ]
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When There’s Sorrow in Your Silent Night
Jesus’ birth came at an inconvenient time for Joseph and Mary. I deeply appreciate the inconvenience of the original happening as Christmas approaches this year. As I write, my father is on hospice, growing weaker daily. I treasure every moment with him even though I know his death is merely a doorway to eternity and …[ read more ]
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Manger Danger
I woke to the headline that a church in Massachusetts has added what many are touting as a “modern twist” to their nativity. In fact, their addition is actually quite spot-on to the historical birth of Jesus. This church added lists of mass shootings to the walls behind Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, hoping to raise our consciousness …[ read more ]
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Christmas. It’s SO not about the Children
If the radio, TV, movie theaters, and Facebook are on target, then Christmas is full of loving, laughing families, fireplaces, the best gifts ever, and last-minute miracles. And, there’s some of that, of course. But around the world and even in the next room, Christmas looks quite different for millions of us. This Christmas Eve …[ read more ]
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Manger Danger
Jesus would have stood out in his generation for a sad reason. He would have been in a minority of young men his age because Herod tried to exterminate Him shortly after Jesus’ birth by ordering the execution of all males two and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. A slaughter. A bloodbath. The …[ read more ]