Friday Here I am – numb. I don’t know what to do, where to go. I’m holed up here in a room that just last night was the scene of feasting, prayer and remembrance. But now appetite is gone, no prayer is left and every remembrance is tainted by the horror of this day. Jesus is dead. Crucified. Every waking moment of the last three years was alive with hope because of Him. … [Read more...] about Fragment of an ancient diary: An Easter Story
Tim MacIntosh
Tim MacIntosh writes a daily blog (on Facebook and on his website) titled, “Eyes on Jesus: Through the Scriptures.” He has also just published a book of daily devotionals in the Gospel of Mark, titled “Eyes on Jesus: Through Mark’s Gospel” (available at Regent College Bookstore, House of James, and on Amazon).
The Christmas chronicles
I’m afraid for Christmas. I’m afraid lest it simply become familiar, and in its familiarity cease to stun us with wonder. Might it become flat, two-dimensional, and lifeless? Might it become cliché? Has it already? How tragic for a story that truly rocks our world. How do we reignite true engagement with this piercing moment of history? How do we cultivate … [Read more...] about The Christmas chronicles
The obedience of Joseph central to the Christmas story
Do you ever wonder about Joseph, the man we see walking alongside a very pregnant woman on the way to Bethlehem? I’m often tempted to think of him as an unnecessary extra in the Christmas story. The Christ child is, of course, central, as is his mother, Mary. Meanwhile, the conception itself had happened without any help from Joseph. Then there are shepherds, sheep, wisemen, … [Read more...] about The obedience of Joseph central to the Christmas story
Christmas: the richness of presence
It’s now the second Christmas of COVID. Last year, celebrations were curtailed. We saw our daughter and son-in-law only briefly, distanced around a fire-pot in our wide-open garage, eating a Christmas breakfast we’d each cooked separately in our own kitchens. Memorable, but not ideal. From those depths of isolation orders and social distancing, we learned (in an inverted way) … [Read more...] about Christmas: the richness of presence