Three days before Christmas, my youngest niece, Bailey, was born. It is a day that I won't forget. It snowed, and for rural middle Georgia, a white Christmas was rare. She was a beautiful baby with the prettiest eyes. However, I think … Read more

The other day, I was thinking about the various places that my husband and I have celebrated Christmas. We were a blended family. Through most of our marriage, our children were adults who lived quite a distance away, so we often … Read more

On the first Saturday of this month, after a year off, I was again being dressed up as Father Christmas, although this year, his white beard was more mine than in past years, and it seems that he gets a little less spritely every year … Read more

In the year 1972, our second baby was due at Christmas. But on December sixth, Christmas was the farthest thing from my mind as the first contraction of labour's onset pulled me over double. "George!" I screamed. Our baby had just decided … Read more

Some time back, I watched a programme on television called Antiques Roadshow, which Caroline encouraged me to take in. I say "encouraged" but in reality, it was more of an expectation of husbandly compliance for a quiet life. The … Read more

How few of us have ever tasted the bitterness of war or stared despairingly into the empty cup of poverty — though some might suffer minor bruising as shoppers edge to the front lines of overcrowded megastores, or experience cramped … Read more

As the anniversary of 9/11 arrives once again, I recall visiting New York City on Remembrance Day just two months after the tragedy. On other trips, our senses were assaulted by flashing neon lights and the ear-splitting noise of honking … Read more

As I grow older, I yearn for the Christmases of my childhood. Being the first grandchild in the family for the first four years of my life meant a great deal of spoiling — by parents and grandparents. Though I don't remember those … Read more

It had been pouring rain all day. Undeterred, we piled into the car to make our way to downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to join my sisters and their families on the Karaoke Christmas Lights trolley bus tour. The traffic was … Read more

The extravagance of British royalty fascinates me. Yet sometimes, I wonder, Why bother? This pageantry is just a remnant of the past. It's not the real thing; monarchs no longer rule. Yet royal traditions can preserve values like … Read more

As I grow older, I yearn for the Christmases of my childhood. Being the first grandchild in the family meant a great deal of spoiling. Though I don't remember those years, pictures relay the joy and giving that took place. Prior to my … Read more

Even in mid-November in this eastern part of Canada, people were taking advantage of the relatively mild weather and putting out their Christmas decorations: lights, Christmas trees, and those inflatable lawn decorations. One day, I … Read more

Some years ago, we were on a tour to Israel with a group of fellow believers and a pastor as the leader. Among many places that we visited, we did some extensive sightseeing in Bethlehem by bus as well as on foot. We visited the Church of … Read more

Having for many years taken part in a number of Christian activities at the local Long Term Care Centre, I have gotten to know a considerable number of people on a quite personal basis. Some of them tell me about their hopes and … Read more

Over the years, our family has experienced many different kinds of Christmas celebrations. When I was a little boy in the Netherlands, we exchanged presents on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th — just small items, like a colouring book, … Read more

With race riots, government oppression, radicalized terrorists, horrific new diseases, and financial meltdowns, today's world is in as much darkness as it was 2000 years ago, and as it was before that, when people were hoping for a … Read more

The old prophet foretold it, the shepherds witnessed it, and Mary lived it. "In case you haven't heard, God, I'm just a young unmarried virgin." "Don't worry, I will A.C.T." "And by the way, the last time I checked, sex was required to … Read more

The package arrived at the end of that November when we were teaching in Kangnung, Korea. It contained an Advent calendar and some small gifts for each day of Advent.

On the calendar were little windows to open, each one with a Scripture … Read more

Children in Zimbabwe are no different from their counterparts around the world when it comes to Christmas. They are full of anticipation and hope.

As children from the city, we spent most of our Christmas holidays in our ancestral … Read more

On January 6th, many in the Spanish culture celebrate what is known as El Dia De Los Tres Reyes Majos or Three Kings Day. As a child, I was amazed to hear my mother tell stories of how she observed … Read more

Last year while shopping at a local thrift store, I was surprised to find a Christmas Bible study book with the odd title, Christmas from the Back Side, written by J. Ellsworth Kalas, a professor who teaches where my son … Read more

When the prophet Isaiah spoke of a people walking in darkness, in Isaiah 9:2, he was speaking of the spiritual and moral condition of human hearts. In Scripture, "the heart" refers the centre and source of the whole inner life, … Read more

During the past year, I had the opportunity to talk with one of my fellow PCCWeb Daily devotional writers and dear friend, Parise Arakelian. Being from the west coast, she was shocked the first day I spoke to her via … Read more

What is Hang Son Doong? To those who already know the answer: "Good job!" The rest can read the National Geographic article and see the pictures . It is no ordinary hole in the ground. It is … Read more

A friend of mine was writing on the web the other day that it's only just more than fifty days to Christmas. My first reaction was: Wow! Where did the rest of the year go? I've been extremely busy all … Read more

It happened so quickly and unexpectedly. In a split second, there was darkness. Our source of power, which we take for granted, was taken from us. Apparently, lightning struck a transformer not too far away from us which caused this … Read more

Recently, my sister experienced the birth of her first grandchild, Christian Paul. His name (kept as a surprise) was not announced until the day he was born. As I thought about the biblical meaning of this wonderful name, I was reminded … Read more

The noise — a dim sound — continued to combine itself within the format of my dreams, until my subconscious gradually nudged me into wakefulness. Glancing at the bedside clock, I noted the hour: 4:15 a.m. The noise had now become a … 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

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

As my daughter and I wait for her bus in the morning before school, we often play with shadows. She tries to make her shadow look taller than mine. We step on each other's shadows. Our shadows do what we … Read more

When people walk the same route each day, they often see the same individuals in about the same places each day. As a friend and I walked day after day and then into the next month, we would pass the … Read more

Our boys are beyond the age of toys — well, toys in the price range we can afford. They are into the electronic toys of today. So I am not sure why on this particular day I found myself thumbing … Read more