Recently, a number of events, contacts regarding a wedding with a young woman I baptized when she was a baby, my son's 53rd birthday, and now my own drawing near, have served to remind me that "Time marches on!" My … Read more
Archive for December, 2003
Forever There
I am not an antique collector, but my relatives have passed down a few things that I cherish. One of these articles is a tattered green autograph album that belonged to my great-grandmother, Sarah. Carefully, I read each article, and … Read more
From The Old Things To The New
My husband, daughter and I are now living in what has been the family cottage for the past 40 years. Over the past two years we have completely transformed the cottage into a beautiful home. Last fall, my good friend … Read more
The Real Kingdom
On a recent trip, I purchased a cubic zirconium ring from a souvenir shop. Its huge stone and its sparkle attracted the attention of all who saw it. For a few days, I enjoyed my new ring, but then I … Read more
Why Was He Hiding?
I was new at the church that Sunday, having only been in the area for a month, so I didn't know why the small boy who was sitting ahead of me was being so uncooperative. For the entire pre-service, he … Read more
Five Paradoxes Of The Incarnation
Prayer: Marvellous Father and gracious God, thank You for these five paradoxes of Jesus' incarnation. May our hearts be filled with joy this Christmas as we meditate upon them. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. … Read more
The Candlelight Parade
Every year, our town has a Candlelight Parade on the first Friday evening in December. Whenever our church enters a float, we try very hard to ensure that we represent the true story of Christmas as the birthday of Christ. … Read more
The Unfinished Afghan
Years ago at Christmas, a family member gave me a kit that included all the materials needed to complete an afghan. She gave it to me for two reasons. First, she knew I enjoyed crocheting, and would get tremendous pleasure … Read more
They Came To Worship Him
"Stop! What's that up ahead of us?" I asked my husband who was driving our rental car over some back roads in the highlands of Scotland. About a thousand sheep were being herded down the middle of the road by … Read more
Child Of Wonder
Can you even imagine the magnitude of the wonder that Mary must have felt — to know that she was going to give birth to the Saviour of the whole world! Shortly after we started adoption proceedings, I was with … Read more
What Did Mary Do?
A few years ago, when my son's family was expecting their third child, I had an interesting conversation with my two granddaughters. We talked about what it would be like to have a new baby in the family. Then we … Read more
Stand To Be Counted
It was a Sunday afternoon in the month of October in the year 2000, and we were in Turkey where a census was being taken. It was a strange feeling as our group travelled together by bus along the road … Read more
Let's Talk Turkey
Home economists tell us to take great precautions when thawing a large turkey for the holidays. If we are thawing it on the counter, it must be covered in cold water that is repeatedly changed. If we can find room … Read more
These Boots
It wasn't the doll that my husband and I had so carefully chosen to give our daughter for Christmas that captured her heart; it was a pair of brown boots. I can still see the smile that lit up the … Read more
Christmas Simplicity
"Was that all?" my friend asked, and, from the tone of her voice, I knew that she was trying to picture a Christmas where the only decorations in the home consisted of a six-inch tree and two handmade candleholders. "That … Read more
The Greatest Gift
As the Christmas season approaches, my mind is consumed with the buying of gifts, especially for my children and grandchildren. I desire to give each of them a gift that conveys how much I love them — gifts that will … Read more
The Flickering In The Woods
As I casually looked out my window the other morning, I saw a tiny red and sometimes green light, flickering in the woods. As I neared the window to get a closer look, I noticed a tiny water droplet dangling … Read more
Fence Jumping
We once had a dog that always had to go over the fence! Sarah was never content with the space at hand, even though she had ten acres where she could run and romp and play. At the time, we … Read more
Less Is More
Every year, it's the same at Christmas. I make resolutions to shop less, buy less, sign up for less, bake less, wrap less, and eat less. (Sigh!) I make resolutions to place Christ's birthday high on my priority list by … Read more
The Peace That Was Meant To Be
After ten years and more of going to Florida, we spent last year's winter season in central Ontario, Canada. When it started to snow, I found that I had never lost the excitement that comes with the first snowfall! Likewise … Read more
Whiter Than Snow, Lord
Our children have invited us to visit Minnesota with them this winter. We can't wait to go. If it were possible, I would buy a few extra pairs of eyes to help me take in all the beauty that I'm … Read more
Where Are You Looking?
As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of a habit my collie, Belle, exhibits whenever we are out walking, and another person or vehicle approaches us from behind. Instead of continuing to look forward while she is walking, she tries to … Read more
The Peace Of Christmas
One of my early school memories is of the Christmas choir concert. Our teacher was a stickler when it came to diction, and she made us repeat the words over and over. After several repetitions, one of the boys, who … Read more
The Light In You
As I checked out of the grocery store, I glanced at the magazines on the rack. In the one that caught my attention, Christmas trees were being called "holiday trees". The magazine displayed a wreath and candles, but the article … Read more
Season of Joy – Season of Sorrow
Joy to the world! the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. At this time of … Read more
One Of The Best Gifts
Pepper came from the local dog pound. Gregarious and active, he loved nothing better than our walks to the post office each morning. One morning, however, all that changed. Another much bigger dog was tied to the fence in front … Read more
The Christmas Gift
"I can't wait until you see Melody [not her real name] open the present I bought her for Christmas," our friend said. Melody was an only child, and planning for Christmas was an exciting event in my friend's home. On … Read more
Advent Opportunities
Advent is one is my favourite times of the year, and the reason for this is the opportunity which it presents to help other people. Over the past couple of years, the Advent appeal in our congregation has taken an … Read more
Let's Put Christ Back Into Christmas
Commercialism and materialism have attacked our Christian values. At Christmas, a walk through the shopping malls gives ample evidence of this statement. Nothing is displayed that portrays the real meaning of Christmas. As a child in a family of nine, … Read more
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