Browsing Tag

Advent

Christmas Already?

The pumpkins are on the front porch and the leaves are falling, so it must be Christmas season, right???

Okay, I know it’s a cliche to joke about how fast Christmas arrives. But when you think about what a BIG deal it is, you can see why people plan early.

Even that first Christmas had a lot of planning — new shoes for the donkey, extra diapers packed, maps to Bethlehem, and more. It sounds like everything was well planned … except for that — oops — hotel reservation.

So I’m busy planning for Christmas while Fall surrounds us. Or …

Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, So you think you're a writer?,

Devotions

I started writing devotions simply for the fun of writing them. It began with a series on Advent and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you!

So I’ve decided to create another series, this time around Lent. As with the first series the framework is a road trip — this time it is the story of Jesus and all those with him as they head toward Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

Along the way we meet grumpy Samaritans, selfish Pharisees, and deal with disciples who don’t quite understand what’s happening. I also take a bit of liberty with the story and …

Random Thoughts, So you think you're a writer?,

Advent Devotions

I’m been hinting about this . . . and now it’s time to share. Over the past year I’ve written a series of devotions for Advent. They are short (a one-minute read) and will be emailed each morning to your inbox. It all starts on November 27.

These are not your typical devotions. They have a junkyard flavor in the sense they are very, very human. It’s a road trip to Bethlehem, sorta.

These are also not your typical Advent insights. It follows the untold story of Mary & Joseph as they process everything happening around them. As I say …

PathLight, Random Thoughts,

Christmas Mystery

There is a mystery about Christmas that should eternally amaze us; The Almighty God, creator and ruler of all, becomes a child born in poverty. That, my friends, is a marvelous truth. It is why we celebrate Christmas.

Sometimes we are busy or distracted or simply weary of the story, so to our detriment we fail to be awed by this mystery. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The lack of mystery in our modern life is our downfall and our poverty. A human life is worth as much as the respect it holds for the mystery. We retain the child in us …

Random Thoughts,

A Prayer For Christmas Preparations

In the midst of all the noise this season, we need a respite. A moment to stop, reflect, and pray. We need an interlude to prepare our heart, mind, and soul for the amazing. This short prayer, beautiful in its simplicity, can be a touchstone for us as we prepare ourselves for Christmas.

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send Your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to Your coming …

Book Reviews, Random Thoughts,

Advent

Christmas is four weeks from today, so it is safe to say we are in the season of Advent.

My faith tradition did not place a big emphasis on the Christian calendar, with the exception of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and of course Christmas Day. But there is great depth, even warmth, when we allow the seasons to enter our daily thinking.

This year I am going to read daily from the book God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is a collection of his letters from prison and a few of his sermons. If you are unfamiliar …