Merry Christmas

“Tonight’s the night the world begins again.”  -Goo Goo Dolls, Better Days
The lights, the shopping, the children waiting to open their gifts, the family gatherings and the 24-hour repeat of “A Christmas Story” on TBN… that’s all… fine.  The sentiment that we sometimes still sense — the sparkling snow covering the ground, the Christmas carols, [...]

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An Old Man’s Encounter: Jesus’ Pursuit, Part 3

Continued from Setting the Stage: Jesus’ Pursuit, Part 2, or start from the beginning with The Question: Jesus’ Pursuit, Part 1
So here Zechariah is, standing at the altar of incense, doing his duty and minding his own religious business and just relieved that he wasn’t struck dead when he walked into the inner chamber of [...]

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Cantique de Noël

This morning I listened on the radio to O Holy Night. It might be the first time I really heard the lyrics.  Listen to the expression of the earth-shaking reality of the Father giving his Son in exchange for us.  The world was long lost and in despair.  And then the soul felt its worth:  Here, beyond all shadow of doubt, [...]

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All-Consuming

It’s a busy season. Family to visit. Gifts to exchange. Shopping to do. I’m struck by the way so much of our culture has been able to recognize the deep need in the human soul and sell it, promising the life we’ve always wanted if we just purchase this pair of tennis shoes, or that [...]

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Setting the Stage: Jesus’ Pursuit, Part 2

Continued from The Question: Jesus’ Pursuit, Part 1

John the Baptist has already been proclaiming some pretty wild stuff out there in the wilderness, wild words to match well his wild clothes and choice of food. John’s a wild man, and a passionate one. He is known as John the Baptist because he has been baptizing [...]

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The Question: Jesus’ Pursuit, Part 1

Be prepared to meet Him Who Knows How to Ask Questions.
-T.S. Elliot
When Jesus speaks to the disciples (who really, at that point, weren’t yet disciples) in John 1:38, he asks them, “What do you want?” Now, that in itself isn’t necessarily all that profound. I’m asked that question quite a few times a day. I [...]

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Emmanuel, God with Us

It is perhaps one of the greatest understatements of all time, full of hope and mystery, and ushering in the greatest raucous that has ever burst forth on this earth. To a fearful group of wayward shepherds, keeping weary eyes open to watch their sheep late on a clear night, appears a powerful member of [...]

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