When you think of the word “present,” what comes to mind? As you might have guessed, around here we love words. It is our primary medium of communication. We love playing with words and enjoyed comedians of yore like Abbott and Costello and their use of word play with routines like “Who’s on First?” Now we’re dating ourselves… But what of the word “present”? All by itself it could mean many things. It’s a word … Continue reading
Category Archives: Incarnation
We all know how often the “how and why questions” are utilized by human beings, and we all know that often they either cannot or will not be answered to our complete satisfaction. A mother walks into her young child’s bedroom – which is a disaster area – and asks, “How did this room get to be such a mess?!” Of course, mother already knows exactly how it happened and who did it, but will … Continue reading
When we think in terms of the sacrifice made for us nearly 2,000 years ago, we naturally think in terms of the sacrifice made by the Son. Braveheart. He gave His life for you and me, and the enormity of that fact should never be obscured by the passage of time or by our familiarity with the event. With that object in view, please allow yourself to consider this: Who would YOU die for? Your … Continue reading
As I write this, my children have been shoe’d up stairs for the umpteenth time. All the presents are wrapped and house is silent, at least for a few hours until one of my sleepy eye’d progeny asks what time is it somewhere around O-Dark-Thirty. Needless to say, the lyrics of Silent Night are a bit ironic these days as nothing is silent in my house. Which I suppose is fitting since that first … Continue reading
(Originally printed “The Gift” In the November/December 1996 MCOI Journal) What is it about Christmas that draws us every year to celebrations of this holiday? What is so special about Christmas? Christmas is a special time because of the happiness it brings. It’s a time of giving and receiving, a family time, a time when we feel especially close to friends and loved ones. It is a time of happy reminiscing; remembering the carefree happy … Continue reading
Have you ever noticed how many people believe in a one-dimensional “cardboard Christ”? We may not think about it in those terms, but it surfaces in various ways. At this time of year, the babe in the manger is certainly the predominant Christ. Everyone likes sweet, cuddly babies with their cute cherub faces. Unfortunately, that is all many acknowledge about Jesus – that He was born in a manger 2,000 years ago – and … Continue reading