Christmas is one of the most cherished times of the year! Throughout the world, people anticipate its celebration with colorful festivities that take on varied expressions in different cultures. It is a time in which the beautiful sounds of carols soothe our ears and hearts. It is a time in which our eyes are mesmerized by delightful decorations and the gleam of twinkling lights. It is a time in which all kinds of gifts are generously...

  Christmas comes to a troubled nation this year. We celebrate the birth of Jesus amid cries for peace and justice – themes which are well-known in the Bible. Isaiah speaks of one who will come and will be called the Prince of Peace. The shepherds heard the angels praise God and sing about peace. Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” We are called to be people of peace....

  Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory more than 2,100 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people who defeated a ruthless enemy that had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life, prohibit religious freedom and force the Jewish people to accept a foreign religion. During the occupation of Jerusalem and the Temple, the Syrian Greeks desecrated and defiled...

  Christmas is a time for singing joyful songs from movie classics like White Christmas and traditional carols like Silent Night and Jingle Bells. This Christmas I invite you to explore the four ancient songs found in the gospel of Luke that celebrate the coming of Jesus. The first is Mary's song known as The Magnificat (Latin for “magnifies”) which comes from the first line of Mary’s song in Luke 1:46: “My soul...

  I remember as a small child asking my parents if I could have my Christmas present early – then on Christmas morning I would act surprised. To their credit, my folks withstood my sure and certain pressure with the words, “No, we’ll wait until Christmas is here!’  I’m guessing I sulked a bit – but my parents didn’t give in. Let me say right upfront...Advent is my most cherished seasons of...