Tag Archives: Christmas

The Return of the Magi

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Tim

[From the archives.] “So, you have made it home safely,” said the king. “Yes, Sire. It was a longer journey than we expected, but a journey I would not have missed for my very life,” said one of the king’s … Continue reading →

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The Mixed Messages of Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Tim

[From the archives.] Luke 2 is full of wonder, telling the story of Jesus’ birth, God himself being born as a baby in a simple manger. This was news worth telling as the angel demonstrated by announcing it to  shepherds, … Continue reading →

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Mary’s Song for her Sons

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Tim

[Becky Castle Miller provides a view on Mary’s choices – bravery, obedience, mothering, teaching – and what they mean for us all at Christmas and throughout our lives.] “Does Mary even exist for Protestants?” a Jewish friend asked me this … Continue reading →

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Miracles Beyond the Manger

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Tim

[From the archives.] In the months leading up to the birth of Jesus, angels paid relatively quiet visits to Zechariah, Mary and Joseph. On the night of Jesus’ birth, though, they could not contain themselves. The shepherds in the fields … Continue reading →

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Echtes Licht: the True Light of Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Tim

[From the archives.] My friend Claudia Dahinden sings beautifully and writes powerfully in both German and English. In her 2016 Christmas music video she sings of the True Light everyone longs for. It’s a musical exploration of John’s introduction of … Continue reading →

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No One Gets Crossed off This Christmas List

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Tim

We were looking over the address list for sending out Christmas cards and found some that needed updating, some that needed to be deleted, and decided to add a couple people to the list. Christmas comes every year, so you’d … Continue reading →

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The Irony of Jesus’ Birth

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Tim

[Archived post.] The visit of the Magi occurred after Jesus’ birth, but it points to the significance of God’s promise centuries before that he would one day dwell among his people and be Immanuel, God with us. Therefore the Lord … Continue reading →

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An Advent of Falling Apart

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Tim

[Today’s archived guest post is one of two on the blog this week prompted by a  Twitter exchange between Lisa Deam and Gwen Jorgensen about how life is hard, and at this time of year it can feel even harder. … Continue reading →

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The Dark Storm of Advent, a Humble Light of Christmas

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Tim

[Gwen Jorgensen’s archived guest post today is a companion Advent piece to An Advent of Falling Apart, Lisa Deam’s post coming up on Friday.] *** It Happens Every Year It happens every year. I’m no longer surprised by it, but … Continue reading →

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The Magi’s Story Didn’t End at the Manger

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Tim

[When the magi made it back to their homeland, here’s how I imagine the first conversation with the king might have gone.] *** So, you have made it home safely,” said the king. “Yes, Sire. It was a longer journey … Continue reading →

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