Advent: Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Many folks use happiness and joy synonymously, especially this time of year, but there is a world of difference between the two. Happiness is more often than not circumstantial, that is, it is dependent upon your current situation. There are times when we are happy and times when we are obviously unhappy. Happiness is dependent [...]

Advent Joy May Be Complete

Our anticipation of the Christmas event is so close in this Advent week as the blessed celebration draws near. The din of the secular side of our holiday threatens to consume us, offering to substitute a joy rooted in the exchange of material objects for the joy that comes of knowing the Lord Jesus. His [...]

Advent Joy - To Free All Those Who Trust in Him

Our anticipation rises yet again as we meditate on Joy during this Advent week. From the plaintive choruses of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, our hearts bear witness to what we know, that the Lord Jesus came to us a man. John speaks to this:
The true light that gives light to every man was coming [...]

Advent Joy - A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So [...]

Friday is for Christmas Music: Boyz II Men

The haunting beauty of O’ Come, O’ Come, Emmanuel

Friday is for Christmas Music: Casting Crowns

Away in a Manger

Advent Peace Comes by Forgiveness

Peace comes to the Christian when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our innate desire for judgment and retribution into a Spirit-driven act of forgiveness. As we forgive we are released from the bondage of rage that threatens our hearts and keeps us tied to past actions and injuries. Reflect this midweek day on [...]

Shattered Advent Peace To Be Restored

Here in the Denver area we are inundated wall to wall with news of the horrific shootings that took the lives of missionaries and church goers on a snowy Advent weekend. Why a young man, a former YWAM trainee would be gripped by such evil and carry this out has not been determined and may [...]

Advent Peace: Like a River

Shalom.
We often settle for a simple definition of that common Hebrew word taking its definition of peace. Peace for many would be the absence of conflict. For our persecuted brothers and sisters, peace would be not just the absence of conflict but also the cessation of hostility toward them, the restoration of their livelihood, their [...]

Stackhouse on Advent: Repentance and Forgiveness

Stackhouse speaks to repentance and forgiveness as themes for reflection during Advent (Entering Advent: Repentance and Forgiveness (I)  ), ideas that are often the focus of our Lenten meditations. The gift of both practices is seen in the release from bondage that ensues. We who practice biblical forgiveness is freed from the bitterness and unloving attitude [...]