As a kid who grew up atheist, I loved Christmas. It was the singular point around which my kid-year revolved. I ached for the supernatural, for some sense of magic or otherworldliness. The only time I got it was at Christmas or through sci-fi and fantasy.
I grew up so atheist that I had no idea who Jesus Christ was, other than that he was a special baby in a manger. But for some reason, I adored the religious Christmas songs. They seemed deep and profound. They tapped into that sense of otherworldliness I longed for.
Now, as a Christian, I know where those feelings come from. I know the source of that ache, that longing. I know who Jesus Christ is and the significance of his birth. I know why I love those songs so much. Because, for a while, the groaning of the Earth is replaced by singing. Wonderful, joyful singing.
My favorite Christmas songs are O Holy Night, Silent Night, and (technically an advent song) O Come, O Come Emmanuel. And what a beautiful name that is – Emmanuel. Of all his names, that is my favorite. "God is with us."
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Join us Sunday at 11 for Lord's Day worship. The sermon is on John 6:35-40, "Jesus's Reason for the Season: To Do His Father's Will."
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For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Rom 1:16-17
Here’s the deal: if you are nauseated, you feel sick. If you are nauseous, you make other people feel sick. It’s a distinction worth preserving. #English
All I want is an interviewer who will ask “but what does that actually mean?” three times in a row or more. It would end the careers of both presidential candidates in ten minutes flat.