My Christmas gifts while growing up were small, but very meaningful. In a family of nine children, there were no elaborate gifts. Back then, we were not into the age of technology, so our parents did not have that challenge … Read more
As this Christmas season fast approaches, we find ourselves overwhelmed with Christmas advertising. It seems that the malls have been decorated since the end of October. Magazines are filled with quick Christmas recipes. The schools send notes home telling of … Read more
Winter mornings are so dark here in this northern country; I long for summer sunrises to colour my mornings with light. As I draw the curtains, my spirit bids me look up, and there are some twinkling stars, reminding me … Read more
It seems that the world is beginning to feel stressed out about Christmas, and there isn't any fun in it anymore. Recent news items and magazine articles appear to be bewailing the fact that Christmas is putting so much pressure … Read more
"It's time to haul out the old toilet brush and decorate it for Christmas." "Hey kids, help us stuff this old toilet brush back into the box!" Wouldn't those comments raise an eyelid or two? The truth is that an … Read more
This year, in preparation for Christmas, while baking, cleaning, putting the finishing touches to the decorations, and finishing up the last of the shopping, here is a challenge: include yourself in your gift-giving. After all, Jesus said that our love … Read more
It's just a little sentence, yet it's one that reveals a lot about Zechariah's character. He's just had a profound, miraculous experience. He's just been struck dumb by the whole event. He has become the centre of speculation, and has … Read more
We have a glass door that separates the kitchen from the living room. As the years have passed, I have noticed that it is easier to keep clean, for as the boys have grown older, there seem to be fewer … Read more
Advent: a time of waiting, preparing, expectation. Even in the rush of life, a moment of silence and observation enters the heart that is open to the reason for the season. We know that peace comes from God's peace, that … Read more