Not everyone who meets his future wife on New Year's Eve gets married seven months later, and stays married for 18 years, but I did. There is the grace of God for you, the power of the new creation. Having … (read more)

"I am going to lose a few pounds next year." "I am going to be more organized next year." "I am going to give a bigger donation to my church." "I am going to give up smoking next year." These … (read more)

As we continue the daily journey of our Christian life, it's important for us to take our spiritual temperature. How hungry are we to walk with Jesus? How excited are we about where we are in our walk with God? … (read more)

I'll admit it. Sometimes I don't have the answers when it comes to the question "Why do 'bad' things happen and where is God?" When friends die, and cancer strikes a small child, I, too, grapple with the meaning of … (read more)

I had a dream. In this dream, a friend, her little daughter, another person, and I, had gone out to the movie theatre. We were having trouble finding the entrance. I also had the feeling that undercover FBI agents were … (read more)

More often than not, we read the story of Christ's birth in Luke 2, and depart along with the shepherds in verse 20. The rest of the story is about the baby Jesus being taken to the temple to be … (read more)

Thirteen years ago, when our first child was born, we had a special birth announcement printed on parchment paper. We did this so that we could notify our family and friends that we had a daughter. We worded the announcement … (read more)

Every year I rebel against the onslaught of the commercial Christmas season. Although I endeavour to guard my time and strive to reflect the spiritual and holy side of Christmas, it is easy to get busy with practices for the … (read more)

It was Christmas Eve when we entered the church, and we were all given a candle. When the time came, the Christ candle was lit and the lights of the sanctuary were dimmed. From that one candle the light was … (read more)

What is in a word? Well, normal words can indeed have great and significant meaning. Words from other people can truly change our lives: they can help to brighten our day, or they can cause sadness or anger. But rather … (read more)

Joseph, called upon by God to stand by his pregnant fianc

Just after my husband retired a few years ago, we set off for the United Kingdom to visit the family of some friends of ours. While there, we attended a small church. It was November, a cold rainy day, and … (read more)

Last summer, our family journeyed across Canada. It was a wonderful holiday, and we experienced many new things. It was a difficult journey at times, too. We never knew what to expect with a three- and a six-year-old in the … (read more)

When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant and decided to break their engagement, he was not aware who had fathered the child. This revelation did not come until after his mind was made up. Joseph's decision was righteous, and not … (read more)

Mary brought her son into the world in a stable "because there was no room for them in the inn." Over the years we have glamourized that stable and made it into a holy shrine. We have done this because … (read more)

In mid-November, I received an Advent gift box from my parents. In it was an assortment of lovely presents (this I suppose, since, as I write, they haven't been opened yet!) and things that remind me of my family and … (read more)

Christmas is an exciting, mystical time of year when we spend a great deal of time preparing, decorating, buying presents, and colourfully, tenderly wrapping them. I love baking puddings, Christmas cakes and candy, putting up the tree, and decorating it … (read more)

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NIV) On a recent trip to our local Bible bookstore, I picked up a button with the words "Not Perfect Just Forgiven" on it. The … (read more)

It was the week before Christmas. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, had just become our new home and we were excited about going Christmas tree shopping. The first Christmas tree lot that we visited was a great disappointment, as the trees resembled … (read more)

December 1992 had been busy from early in the month. My dad had been hospitalized for a short time, several friends had undergone serious cancer surgeries, there had been the usual school and dance performances to sew for and attend, … (read more)

When I became a grandmother for the first time, my husband and I went to visit the new baby and the young family in the hospital. As I held my grandchild for the first time, my heart was filled with … (read more)

My wife, Caroline, gets a magazine every month, one of those that are about a quarter of an inch thick. Usually, I get no further than glancing at the front cover, or the occasional glimpse when it is left open … (read more)

I'm not sure why, but I have gotten into the "Christmas spirit" early this year. Perhaps it is all the lights that suddenly appeared on the first of November. Or perhaps it is watching the excitement on my young sons' … (read more)

Recently, my children, aged 4 and 6, have begun to understand the concept of time. Bethany now realizes that time passes in an orderly fashion of minutes, hours, and days. We seldom use the common practice of 'three more sleeps,' … (read more)

I know a mother and daughter who collect angel ornaments and pictures of angels. Together they made a scrapbook by gluing in pretty pictures of angels cut from old Christmas cards. One day, the mother cheerfully indicated to her daughter, … (read more)

Recently I said to two children, aged five and six, "You seem to know what Halloween is all about; can you tell me what Christmas is about?" I got the expected reply that seems to be the norm for too … (read more)

My husband and I have been going for Sunday afternoon walks. Recently, as we passed all the houses, I thought about how bare and dark they looked because their Christmas lights weren't turned on yet. A figure of Frosty the … (read more)

When we moved into our home fifteen years ago, I saw the cedars surrounding our front walkway as models for all sorts of celebrations, the first of which was Christmas. First, I made choir gowns out of old sheets, dying … (read more)

While raising a family of our own, we used to prepare for Christmas in many ways. Each year, we would unpack the Christmas lights and ornaments. Best of all was a nativity scene, given to us years before. With our … (read more)

In the last ten to fifteen years the growing commercialism of Christmas has brought back an ancient custom we now see in our homes and churches during the celebration season. This custom is of lighting candles to give us a … (read more)

Change of address cards are piled in my study as I write this. We are moving, and looking forward very much to our arrival at Parkwood Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for December 1st. Change of address announcements, whether sent via … (read more)