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
Christmas
Last Christmas, I was alone with Jesus, and Jesus was enough
Last Christmas, I was alone with Jesus. I celebrated the day of His birth with Him. And Jesus was enough. Since my family were away and I chose not to travel, I had intended to share Christmas dinner with a friend and her husband and daughter. Unfortunately, her husband became ill and my friend had to cancel. I know she felt badly and if I had wanted to, I probably … [Read more...] about Last Christmas, I was alone with Jesus, and Jesus was enough
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
The Messiah of Handel
Beethoven once said: “Handel was the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel before his tomb.” King George III called Handel “the Shakespeare of Music.” George Bernard Shaw commented that “Handel is not a mere composer in England: he is an institution. What is more, he is a sacred institution.” In North America and England, at the very … [Read more...] about The Messiah of Handel
Jimmy Stewart’s Wonderful Life
One of our favourite Christmas movies is It’s a Wonderful Life where Jimmy Stewart plays the part of a generous but discouraged businessman who discovers that he really was making a positive impact. You will remember how the Christmas angel Clarence had to earn his wings by helping out Jimmy Stewart (aka George Bailey). George was so distraught at Christmas that he was about to … [Read more...] about Jimmy Stewart’s Wonderful Life