My parents were married during the hungry thirties, when a teapot was thought to be an acceptable wedding gift. During their first years together, my mother gave birth to two little girls — my sister first, then me. Although we … Read more

As Christmas fast approaches, we spend time contemplating the best gift we can give to those on our list. When we choose successfully, not only do we bring joy to them, but also our own hearts are greatly blessed. How … Read more

What to do with the small gift that one has to wrap? Some of the best gifts come in small packages. As our boys grew up, they learned to make many crafts for others and to give them as gifts. … Read more

The Christmas season may be the busiest time of year for many of us, involving much time in planning, preparation, working, and spending money. If we are very blessed, it may also involve family and friends gathering for feasting and … Read more

One of the things I enjoy most about Christmas is the traditional tree. Last year, my daughter and I drove miles before discovering the perfect specimen. Hiking through deep snow, I was eager to reach and take home my prize. … Read more

Ah! Christmas! Time to buy gifts for those we love. Decisions, decisions, and more decisions! What to give your spouse! What to give the children in your life! What to give your sons, your daughters! What to give your friends … Read more

Spoons has lived on the streets of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for over 28 years now. He used to have a proper name; it's been so long that he has almost forgotten it. I remember the day several years … Read more

Watching the news the other day, I saw the unveiling of an atheist declaration of unbelief that was placed next to a menorah and a nativity scene. I can't remember in which city this occurred, but I couldn't help feeling … Read more

When reading the Christmas story, I am always amazed at the amount of trust that Mary, a young girl, had in the angel's words. She was an adolescent, unmarried, and inexperienced in the ways of life, but yet she bravely … Read more

Recently at the office, I filled up my water bottle from the water cooler at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer. It is like me in the morning: slow. Tea always comes first in the morning, and for … Read more

Often, when we are driving the highways here on Vancouver Island, the tall evergreen trees on either side cast shadows across the street, so that the driver cannot tell whether the dark patch ahead is a real hole or a … Read more

I wonder what would happen if we were to celebrate Advent every day. Most of us think about Advent when we see the candles being lit in church on Sunday mornings. Some of us even think that Advent is the … Read more

Our Church does a banquet each December called the "We Care Banquet". After Sunday services are done, the sanctuary is transformed into a banquet hall, complete with white table cloths, dishes, and table centers. Many of the chairs are removed, … Read more

There is something really special and reassuring about being led by God along this path called life. No one has caught this feeling as well as Joseph Gilmore in the hymn "He Leadeth Me". It was written in 1862 on … Read more

Recent tragic events have displayed a lot of darkness and fear in the world, but the present is not any different from Paul's time. The technology may be far more advanced, but the same anxiety that pervaded much of the … Read more

As we approach the Christmas season, it isn't unusual for those who celebrate it with presents, to buy gifts and hide them. Often, as used to be my practice, gifts will be purchased throughout the year as they are either … Read more

Advent is a time for making preparations, to be ready for the coming of Jesus into your life and mine. We need to prepare for this "coming", for it may well happen in a new and perhaps even startling way. … Read more

We don't have a custodian on duty at our church on Sunday mornings. This means that I make the coffee, because I'm one of the first to arrive at the church. I also get to sweep up the leaves at … Read more

It always amazes me that God made Jesus' birth announcement to lowly, unimportant shepherds. Why? Does it mean that Jesus' mission was to be with the unimportant people, the poor, the outcast, and the needy? It certainly unfolded in that … Read more

As we go into the Christmas season, I have been challenged to consider how we go about sharing the holidays in a Christ-like manner with unsaved family. I have become more aware of the way we celebrate the birth of … Read more

Christmas can be a painful and lonely time for some people. At our candlelight service, we light a Blue Christmas candle for those who are grieving, hurting, or ill during the festive season. This poem is recited as the blue … Read more

I was not hurrying to clean up my home as usual before Christmas. I was procrastinating, putting it off — I would get to it later. Not having the same pep as before, I was slow in getting the usual … Read more

I was attempting to finish my poster on time for December when I thought of looking for something to illuminate the topic of "Christmas". I went to a source for clip art. Guess what! I found only one "Christmas" image … Read more

Years ago, when my children were growing up, I learned that there is real power in homemade baked goods. The way a glass of milk and a couple of homemade cookies revived my children and their friends after a challenging … Read more

Living in the centre of Vancouver Island on Canada's west coast gives us pretty moderate temperatures. Although we usually are graced with a snowfall sometime in our winter months, it is what one would call a token snowfall. Our most … Read more