The Original Christmas
What do we know about the original Christmas? The more we explore about the roots of Christmas, the more we discover that it is an event anchored in history, not in mere tradition or emotion. This article delves into some of the major historical questions that come up when considering the original Christmas. Christmas was […]
The Christmas Gift the World Didn’t Want
During yesterday’s sermon, the preacher focused on the nativity scene and the sweetness surrounding the birth of the baby Jesus, which is the norm this time of the year. But unlike the typical view of the manger scene, he threw a little reality into the mix. He said that there were some characters missing from the scene […]
Jesus Was the Messiah. So, What’s a “Messiah”? Q&A with Jon Kehrer
Around Christmas, we often hear how Jesus was the Messiah, a long-awaited figure who would arrive and rescue people from their sins. But what does the word “messiah” mean? The word means “anointed one,” and based on their study of Scripture, the Jewish people were expecting an “anointed one” to arrive and conquer their enemies. […]
Op-Ed by Herod the Great
Herod the Great, the villain of the Christmas story, was a master of political survival. His long reign under the Caesars came at the cost of constant paranoia, even having numerous family members killed whom he saw suspiciously. When he heard the news of a baby “born King of the Jews,” it’s unsurprising that he […]
Who Jesus Is: A 15-Scripture Tour Through Who He Is and What He Does
Jesus gets talked about and quoted a lot, but have you ever wondered who Jesus is? This 15-Scripture tour walks us through who Jesus is and what he does. The number one goal for a follower of Jesus is to know him (Phil. 3:7-10). So here are 15 Bible passages to help you get to […]
Where Christmas Originated
Have you ever wondered where Christmas originated? It goes back to the birth of Jesus Christ in ancient Israel, but how we celebrate Christmas today comes from traditions from all over the world. What’s more American than McDonald’s? It was started by the McDonald brothers in San Bernadino, California, in 1940. Since then, it has […]
10 Ways the Holy Family Experienced the Stress of Christmas
Although most paintings don’t give any hints, Mary and Joseph experienced the stress of Christmas in ten major ways. Traditional Christmas cards often feature a painting of the Holy Family: Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. All three are poised in holy reverence. Every hair is in place. Every robe ironed and spotless. Halos crown their […]
A Thrill of Hope: Rediscovering Joy by Returning to the Original Christmas
Although the romanticism of Christmas can fade, we rediscover lasting joy by returning to the original Christmas. I love the Christmas season. I always have. I took my family to a local Christmas tree farm to cut down our own tree this year. Any other time of year, the errand would’ve seemed a nightmare. Who […]
