“To God in heaven, the highest glory—and to those on earth, peace . . .” —Luke 2:14, Becky’s No-nonsense Paraphrase Christmas Grief Interrupts Peace Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the writer famous for poems like “Paul Revere’s Ride” and my childhood favorite, “The Village Blacksmith,” experienced deep despair. He’d buried a child. His wife’s dress caught fire in … Continue reading Peace, by Becky Antkowiak
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV An unwelcome return Did you ever wonder why there was “no room at the inn” for Mary? Think about it… When Caesar … Continue reading Judge, by Melissa Carey
I’ve already considered how WORD-weary our souls may feel in this season. So maybe we can simply start with love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. … Continue reading Love, by Beth Duewel
‘But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.’ Luke 2:19 How crazy is your Christmas prep? My friend Jill always used to say “I’m too busy to scratch myself.” I’m feeling a little of that this year. Competing needs of two teenagers, a busy military husband, wrapping up the ministry … Continue reading Treasured, by Debb Hackett
That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 “Why do trees grow up?” A simple question from my four-year-old grandson. He meant in a literal sense. My answer to him was “They are reaching for the sun so they can grow big and strong.” But … Continue reading Trees, by Lori Altebaumer