The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel — which means, God with us.

Matthew 1:23

I love everything about Christmas and the joy that comes with celebrating the birth of our King of Kings!

Our family has many traditions surrounding this special season: participating in Christmas Eve services and Christmas plays at church, Read more…

What a mess! As the family gathered for Christmas at my brother’s home near Yorktown, Virginia, an ice storm coated the trees until they began to bend and break. All across the region the power went out as falling trees snapped electrical lines. Read more…

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.

Exodus 15:1

Bible scholar Matthew Henry tells us, “this song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honor of God, to exalt his name and celebrate his praise.” Read more…

It was the result of clenched teeth and womanly vigor that God-in-flesh was born.

Outside the barn or cave, Joseph would be pacing and waiting, other men who’ve traveled with them giving him advice, maybe offering him some wine, while he awaited the final push where it was his duty to receive the newborn and firstborn son while on his knees.

But the hands that first held Emmanuel, the eyes that first looked upon Him, belonged to a midwife whose name is lost to time. Read more…

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

I’m a child of the ’80s, but some of my favorite childhood memories are of watching the black-and-white movies and TV programs of my parents’ generation together with my family. To this day I am a huge fan of the sci-fi series “The Twilight Zone” hosted by Rod Serling. One of my favorite episodes, titled “What You Need,” first aired on Christmas Day in 1959. Read more…

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

When someone sends me a link to a funny video an academic lecture, I quickly grow annoyed with buffering. You know the experience: that little wheel spins. You wait. It keeps spinning. And you wait some more. It just keeps on spinning. And you finally give up and leave the website. Read more…