Tag: Advent

What’s filled with awesomeness and is fantabulous?

I like to make up words – taking obvious phrases and expanding upon them. I figure, if Shakespeare could invent words, why can’t I? I often use these made-up words in notes and in conversations. Communicating things like: “You are filled with awesomeness” and “You are so fantabulous.” These are familiar parts of my vocabulary.… Continue reading What’s filled with awesomeness and is fantabulous?

The Race Is On

By now, the race is on. Thanksgiving leftovers are history, shoppers have come home with bags and bargains in tow, Amazon / UPS / Fed-ex are dropping off the online purchases, and the festivities have officially begun. For the next week or so, advertisements will dominate the airwaves, catalogs will clutter our mailboxes, and coupons… Continue reading The Race Is On

Advent is a season full of strikingly different juxtapositions

This is a challenging season for us. We know the stories of Jesus’ birth so well that they can easily become clichés, obscuring the awesome message that God has taken human form as a vulnerable child. So, what can we learn? Advent is a season which is full of strikingly different juxtapositions. The focus of… Continue reading Advent is a season full of strikingly different juxtapositions

Advent & Christmas Top Ten List

10.Q: Christmas is on a Sunday, what are we going to do?A: Celebrate! That’s right, celebrate! “Celebrate” is the simplest and yet the most profound answer to that query. Come & Join us! 9.Q: Are there any other details about Christmas Day we need to know?A: There will be no fellowship time after worship. PJ’s… Continue reading Advent & Christmas Top Ten List

Not an Advent tradition most folks ever consider

The world just topped 8 billion in human population. Is there room in the inn for you, me, and all of God’s children? Advent is a season when we intentionally prepare our hearts and make room. That means removing the clutter and junk from our lives to allow space for Christ’s coming. This season is… Continue reading Not an Advent tradition most folks ever consider

The ABCs of Christmas!

During this Advent season, an elf helped remind me of the ABC’s of Christmas: Anticipate joyBe kindCount your blessingsDreamExpress gratitudeForgiveGive cheerfullyHarm no oneImagine possibilitiesJettison angerKeep confidencesMake peaceNurture hopeOpen your mindPlay fairQuell rumorsReciprocate goodnessSeek wisdomTouch heartsUnderstandValue truthWelcome diversityXeriscapeYearn for holinessZealously care for others Wait, I Love this list, but the elf left out a letter! Noel! Noel! Noel!… Continue reading The ABCs of Christmas!

Spiritual housecleaning: a new Advent tradition?

Advent is a season for every heart to prepare Christ room. That means removing the boxes from our lives to allow space for Christ’s coming. The season is busy and intense for most of us. Emptying and simplifying strike us as seasonally inappropriate. We think of doing more and more, not less and less. A… Continue reading Spiritual housecleaning: a new Advent tradition?

In 2026, what will you remember about Christmas 2021?

What do you remember about your childhood Christmas celebrations? How do you want your family to answer that question someday? If you’re like me, you don’t tend to remember the gifts you were given as much as the special moments. One of my great regrets with my kids is that our Christmas season was often… Continue reading In 2026, what will you remember about Christmas 2021?