I’m almost weepy as I ponder on God’s promises to us and, especially, how beautifully he demonstrates that he is fully behind his promises. God became a human being so he could redeem our sins but also walk alongside us. He did not just tell us what to do, he became one of us. Even Jesus’ name declares God’s intentions to be always with us. All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive…
I don’t know about you but I feel I am so far behind in my Christmas preparations. I don’t even dare to tell my American friends how behind I am. It’s not the first time either. The first year I was teaching at Concordia College (at Moorhead, MN) I bought my gifts – other than from the college bookstore – at the airports on my way home. I just had been so busy with teaching and grading and everything else…
The world news seems to be getting more horrific all the time. Suicide bombers, kidnappings, massacres, wars, murders, accidents. It all feels terrible, it’s easy to get discouraged. How can we go on like this, we ask. How can we continue to enjoy living when the world is full of tears and heartbreak? But don’t we then forget this is not all there is? Don’t we forget why Jesus came into the world? The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on…
Celebrating Christmas is great. And easy. For real. It does not require long shopping lists or empty wallets. There’s absolutely no stress involved because everything is already done for us. Don’t you believe me? Let me explain. You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand. (Psalm 16:11, CEB) The perfect Christmas and total celebration is only found in God’s presence. No where else. God’s arms are wide…
The daylight is getting shorter and shorter, the darkness is all around us. This is the time of year when the Bible verses telling us that Jesus is the light for all people are even more precious. Or maybe it is easier to understand how much we need Jesus in the midst of all this darkness. Because of Christ the darkness will not have the last word. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and…
