Firsts

My grandson, Emmett, wiggled and wiggled as I tried to put on his pajamas. His silly mood made us both giggle and fall on the bed with laughter. Then suddenly, Emmett grew quiet and still for a moment, and his eyes gleamed and grew as big as planets.  “Marmee, we saw Christmas lights tonight!”  “Yes, we…

Incandescent Grief

For me, Christmas light shines brighter each year; and it is so important to every aspect of my life as I move on from this annualized celebration and illumination into the cold and sometimes dark realities of a new year, 2025. I am simply pausing for light—to soak in it, see it in reality and…

Every Sparkle Shouts

It’s easy to look at the condition of the world and despair or grow cynical about the message of the birth of Jesus: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14. At Bible Study Fellowship, we have been studying the book of Revelation. We just finished chapters 4…

The next time you want to shake your fist at God…

It is essential in our walk with God to understand him as a consuming fire. Most consider our Creator and his acts toward humankind to center around judgment or discipline. That he is ever-watching from heaven to smash our plans or even our lives. But the consuming fire of the Holy One of Israel and…

Maybe

The holy mystery of Christmas is not hidden. It shouts in the streets like a vendor and blocks the highway like a barricade. It’s the crazy unexplainable that flashes with bright clarity for a second and collapses in the warm arms of hope that yearn for home. It’s the beauty of heaven that falls with…

‘… far as the curse is found… ‘

“Joy to the World” is an enduringly beautiful Christmas carol, written in 1719 by English writer, Isaac Watts. Lowell Mason in 1939 adapted the lyrics and put them to music. It is believed that he arranged an old melody written originally by Handel. The words encourage my faith each season. Joy to the world! the…

Dazzled…

Each holiday season in December, I am handed the opportunity to gaze upon the shekinah glory of God that shone about the shepherds of Bethlehem on a cold night in Israel long ago—a night that changed the world forever. It is challenging because there is great competition and distraction in this beautiful Season of Light…

‘Ghost of an Idea’

I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses, pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it. ~Their faithful servant, C. D. This is the…