Month: December 2025

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippans 4:13

Christmas has come and gone. The gifts have been opened, the meals and sweets have been consumed, the decorations will be put away, and we find ourselves on the brink of another new year. This year, I have resolved to make things better this year than last even though last year was good, it wasn’t without its struggles. In short, I will look to Isaiah as he reminded us, Remember not the former things nor think on the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing or in my words, I will make things better.

This past Christmas, as in most Christmases before, the question I ask my family more than anything else is, “What do you want for Christmas?” I get the usual “Oh, I don’t need anything” or “Anything will be fine” answers. This year Randy got specific and asked me, “Do you want jewelry? Do you want clothes? Do you want some money for a massage?” My answer was a definitive”No, I don’t need anything.”

A few days later, my phone dinged with a message from our credit card company informing me that someone had used my card at a place called Heli Atlanta. Of course I immediately thought it was a scam, but upon confronting Randy, I found out it was my “surprise”Christmas present. It turns out that thanks to Dave and Donna, Randy had been put onto this idea for Christmas. We were taking a helicopter ride over Atlanta! I was mortified as I get motion sickness and was dreading it.

However, we did indeed go and do our helicopter ride, and it gave us a whole new vision of this city and the beauty that we can’t see when we are caught up in our own small world. The lights, the sights, the places that we never imagined were so huge, and the traffic!! It made me realize how many things in life we might miss because the things that have happened to us in past years keep us from moving forward and making things better.

We are much like the two hunters who ran into a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave reflecting upon his good fortune. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came out, almost ran into the bear, hestiated, and then ran back in! In a minute, the same thing happened again. When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree called out, “Woody, are you crazy? Stay in the cave til he leaves.” “Can’t,” panted Woody, “there’s another bear in there!”

Sometimes we feel like no matter wherever we go to try to escape problens, there’s always a new situation, problem, or crisis waiting. We want to make things better, but we can lose our direction. So, how do we make things better in 2026?

First, resolve to make things better in 2026 by forgiving whatever grudges we might have against one another. A grudge is defined as a deep ongoing resentment that we cultivate in our hearts against someone else which leads to unforgiving attitudes and/or actions. Grudges can destroy families, friendships, and even churches. When you hold a grudge against someone, you hurt yourself as much or more than you hurt that person.

Next, we can resolve to make things better in 2026 by forgiving ourselves for past failures. The new year is a good time to stop torturing ourselves for things we did or did not do and stop being chained to them. Christ’s forgiveness allows us to forgive ourselves and put failures behind us.

Finally, we can resolve to make things better in 2026 by taking time to speak with our Lord. In this New Year, turn the tv off, turn the computer off, stop scrolling on your phone, stop texting, and spend five minutes with God. We can spend time with Him while we are cooking, while we’re driving, or when we are in the shower! We can tell Him things we’d tell our friends, our neighbors, or our spouse. Thank Him for His blessings! Surely, we have five minutes to spare.

Will this New Year be just a calendar changing event for us, or are we ready to make it one to celebrate by resolving to make it better than any other year of our life?

Happy New Year! Make it the best!

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47

T’was the week before Christmas and everyone was hurrying. If we didn’t know better, we’d resemble the mice who were scurrying! No one has time to think of Joseph, Jesus and Mary; We are cooking, wrapping, and have no time to tarry. I wonder what Mary would say if she could speak to each of us? I know she would urge us to keep Christ in Christmas! (With apologies to Clement Moore)

There’s just three days left before Christmas, and although I am sure people are magnifying many things, somehow I don’t believe the Lord is in the picture as we finish up our plans. When we magnify things, we make them appear larger than they are. We tend to magnify the unimportant things and forget to magnify the person that is the reason we celebrate.

Mary was devoted to her God, and she was able to put aside the uncomfortable stares, the gossip, the discomfort, and the emotions of it all. She was able to teach us that faith isn’t just about knowing the path ahead, but rather trusting that God will lead us through the unknown. Mary didn’t ask for a life of comfort, but rather, she chose a life of purpose. In doing this, she magnified the Lord. When we magnify the Lord, we praise Him, extol Him, glorify Him, and tell of His greatness.

The time is growing shorter, but there’s still time to remember to magnify the Lord in everything we do. Joseph found a way to do just that. He had to have been a man of great faith, but he also had to have had a list of questions a mile long. However, through it all, he trusted God and believed that God’s will was best.

There’s still time to magnify the Lord by caring about other people just as Joseph did. His job was to care for all the characters in the Christmas story, and he did it humbly and with love. Do we?

The story is told of a young couple with an 18 month old son who had gone to spend a few days with the grand parents at Christmas. Christmas Day fell on Sunday that year, so right after church, they said they good-byes and set off for home. There weren’t many filling stations open, but they did find a truck stop to fuel up and went in to get something to eat.

They went in the dimly lit restaurant and sat down. They thought they were the only people there until their son, Eric, said “Hidere! Hidere!” He was putting
“Hi” and “there” together to make one word, “Hidere!” Every time he said it, there was a response from a table in an alcove near the door, “Hi there, little boy! Hi there, little boy!”

The parents looked in the alcove and saw an old, raggered, tattered looking man whose coat was old and torn and at least two sizes too big! His trousers drug the floor, his shoes had holes in them, he was unshaven, and when he smiled, all his teeth were gone. Yet, for some reason, little Eric kept speaking to him!

Finally the old man said, “Little boy, do you know how to patty cake?” Sure enough, Eric showed him. “Little boy, do you know how to play peek a boo?” Soon, the two of them were engaged in that game. The dad became uneasy about the situation, so they ate and prepared to leave as soon as they could.

As the Mom was walking by the old man holding her son, Eric reached both arms toward the old man. The man asked, “Would you let me hold your baby?” Really she had not much choice because Eric lunged into the man’s arms. He cradled Eric in one hand and patted his back with the other as Eric put his arms around the man’s neck and laid his head on his shoulder.

Closing his eyes, the old man whispered to Eric while tears streamed down his cheeks. In a while, he handed Eric back to his Mom and said, “Thank you very much. You have given me my greatest Christmas present.” As we care for others, we magnify the Lord.

Finally, to magnify the Lord, we should learn to give of whatever we have. This is really what Christmas is all about, isn’t it? When God gave himself, Christmas happened.

Mary said, My soul shall magnify the Lord, and it was so!

Merry Christmas!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Jesus said “Have you believed because you have seen me?” John 20:29

A few years ago my friend Penny and I were talking about our young grandkids, and she asked the age old question, “Do they still believe in Santa?” I replied, “Well, if they don’t, they won’t admit it because they know the presents could be negatively effected if they do!”

Penny agreed and then proceeded to tell me a story. It seems that she had a friend whose middle school daughter still believed in Santa. The child had been home schooled so she wasn’t privy to the usual school yard conversations and revelations that can occur during this time of year. Her mother thought it best to go ahead and break the news to her before she began her middle school year in the public school system.

The daughter took the news badly, and said to her mom, “Oh, no. if Santa isn’t real that means the Easter Bunny isn’t real! Next, you are going to tell me that Jesus isn’t real either!!” Believing in something or someone can sometimes lead to disappointment.

At this time of year, believing in Santa is the highlight for many children. They see his image everywhere, and it is easy for them to conjure up his image in their mind. They are very familiar with his red cheeks, white beard, jolly ho ho ho, and jelly belly. Believing is easy with Santa even if we don’t know his background.

Saint Nicholas was originally a bishop of the church in the fourth century. He was a very generous man who gave many charitable gifts and helped many poor and needy people. He also spent several years in prison because of his faith, and while he was there, he converted many prisoners to Jesus Christ.

Saint Nicholas was a good man who helped the poor, and Santa is the symbol that conveys the spirit of his generosity and love. The Santa that we have created and in which children believe, is supposed to be the one who has his historical origin in the bishop who obeyed God’s command that we love and help others in need. We believe.

However, it is Jesus that should be the main focus of the Christmas story. It is His birth that we celebrate along with the gifts of joy, peace, and love that He brings to each of us who believe. The story of Jesus has historical roots as well, and yet rarely can children conjure up a picture of this man.

The Book of John gives credence to the story of Jesus by declaring the things that were recorded during His life were done so by people who actually saw and heard the stories. The manger, the birth, the star, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men are not legends, but rather people who were there and witnessed the miracle. Do we believe ?

The word believe is defined as accepting something as true. In order to believe, one must entrust one’s heart to someone or something through love, loyalty, and committment.

The good news of Jesus is that people can see him in their minds, not as a Santa, but as a Savior. Unlike Santa, He doesn’t look the same for everyone. James Taylor wrote, Some people see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night. Some people see Him bronzed and brown, the Lord of earth from heaven come down. Some people see Him almond eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside. Some people see Him dark as they, sweet Mary’s son to whom we pray. The people in each place will see the Baby Jesus’ face, like theirs but light with heavenly grace.

The question for us this Christmas is Do we believe in our Savior? Do we believe in Jesus? Can we conjure up an image of this man in our mind? Do we worship Him or other things at this time of year? Do we believe God gave His only Son to live among us and die for our sins?

This Christmas as we sing the hymns, light the candles, and reflect on HIs birth, is it just tradition or do we truly believe? The question is, are we still believing in the Christ who came down at Christmas?

Though you have not seen him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. 1 Peter 1:8-9

During this season, I have a habit of playing Christmas music when I’m out and about doing errands. It just seems to add to the joy! However, most of the folks out and about seemed to have forgotten the joy that comes with Christmas. They have long serious faces, stress written all over them, and driving with horns honking for others to move on! Where’s the joy?

On one occasion, a young boy visited his grandfather on his farm. His grandfather was not being a good companion, and obviously there was very little joy during the visit! Later in the day, the boy decided to take a walk around the farm and see if he could find the animal he thought most reminded him of his grandfather. He noticed the chickens scratching and playing, and said, “They ain’t it.”

He moved on to the colts playing and kicking up their heels in the field, and he said, “They ain’t it.” Finally he found an old donkey in the barn. When he saw the donkey’s long frowny face, and the way he just stood there looking sad, he yelled for his grandfather to come see. “Look, said the young boy, I found an animal with the same joy as you!” Where’s the joy?

Is that how people see us Christians at this joyful time of year? Do we walk around with long, sad faces, or do we smile, laugh and celebrate the coming of the Christ child? Christmas joy isn’t feeling happiness from good circumstances, but rather a deep abiding strength that comes from God.

The joy of Jesus was that he was able to see the comical side of many a human situation or predicament. His good natured approach to life was rooted in his great inner joy.

Dr Michael MacIntosh says, “There was joy at the tomb of the resurrected Lazarus. There was joy when a leper returned to thank Jesus. There was joy when the deaf heard, the blind saw, and the lame walked. Everywhere Jesus went, there was joy.

In this season of the year, people need to see the joy of Christians rather than the “donkey faces.” They need to hear a Merry Christmas, receive a smile, see the joy on our faces. We express His joy through smiles, laughter, helping others, fellowship, and discipleship!

Sometimes we need a mission to spread joy this Christmas! In the midst of all the gift giving, the greatest gift we can give to others is the gift of joy.

The story is told of a man in Salt Lake City who decided to send out Christmas cards to perfect strangers to help spread the joy of Christmas. He got telephone directories from several cities, addressed 600 cards to people he had never met, included his return address, and mailed them!

Amazingly, he received 117 responses from total strangers. One lady wrote, “It was so good to hear from you. Your card arrived the day I got home from the hospital, and I can’t tell you what an encouragement it was to hear from an old friend.”

Another wrote, “I must admit that when we received your card, we couldn’t really picture you. We had to think hard for a long time before we remembered. By the way, give our best to your father. He is such a wonderful man.”

But one response took the cake! One guy wrote, “It was good to hear from you after all these years! By the way, we are going to be in Salt Lake City next summer. Would it be all right if we come and stay with you for a few days?”

This past Saturday as we were preparing to watch the UGA verses Alabama game, the doorbell rang! When we opened the door, there stood “UGA”, the mascot for the Bulldogs who had come to lead us in some cheers and spread some joy before the game! Now, “UGA” was really a dear friend who loves to spread joy! Thank you, Eve for spreading the joy! Georgia won the game and the joy just kept on coming!! Go Dawgs!!

Where’s the joy? The joy of this season lives in every one of us if we will only make an effort to be like Jesus and reach for that inward joy! He came to bring Joy to the World. Let’s not let Him down!

For no word from God will ever be impossible. Luke 1:37

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I have some good news and some bad news on this first day of December! The good news for us this day is that Christmas is only twenty four days away! The bad news for us today is that Christmas is only twenty four days away!!

As I was surveying the leftovers from Thanksgiving, it hit me that we have a very short window to put up our tree, hang our wreath and stockings, and trim the tree with all the timeless ornaments and special items that we enjoy each Christmas. I asked myself, are you ready to take this on?

At this point, the movie, Christmas with the Kranks flashed through my mind. In this adaptation of Skipping Christmas by John Gresham, Luther and Nora Krank decide to avoid the frenzy experienced during the holiday season. After sending their daughter off to the Peace Corps for a year long assignment, Luther develops an increasingly personal antipathy for normal Christmas traditions. He decides to save all the money they would spend on Christmas decorations, parties, food, etc., and book a cruise to the Caribbean!

Nora is skeptical, but acquiesces. and they don’t particiate in the usual Christmas traditions. The neighborhood is furious, and tries to punish them for not putting Frosty on their roof, and the hazing goes on and on. The short story is that their daughter decides to surprise them for Christmas, and they are not ready! What follows is a series of antics which lead them to realize how valuable traditions, friends, and Christmas is to all of us. Christmas is a time for miracles.

Things don’t necessarily come to those who wait or aren’t ready, but rather to those that prepare. Are you ready? It takes a lot more than a Christmas tree and decorations to find the real spirit of the celebration. The real Christmas story begins with a message from the angel to prepare or get ready for the coming of Christ.

How do we prepare for the coming of Christ? First, in order to prepare and get ready, we have to prioritize. An essential part of getting ready involves doing some re-arranging. Just as we re-arrange our homes, our schedules, and other aspects of our lives for Christmas, God wants us to re-arrange our hearts, and make room for the Christ child. When we make room for Jesus in our hearts and put him in the center of our lives, everything else comes together.

Next, we need to rediscover the blessing of giving. Louisa May Alcott inher book, Little Women, said, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without any presents. I agree. There’s nothing wrong with giving and receiving gifts, but here’s the key: we’ve got to rediscover the blessing of giving. Giving brings more blessings to the giver than the receiver.

Finally, in order to be ready, we have to turn on the lights! In Isaiah, God talks about people sitting around in darknes being uncomfortable, confused, and afraid. Our neighborhood is already aglow with lights, and I must say the light all around is astounding.

In John, Jesus called himself and His followers, the light of the world. Paul pictures the world without Christ in deep darkness and God’s people as the light in the darkness. Christmas, as in no other time of the year, offers Christians a chance to let the light of Jesus shine clearly and beautifully. Jesus shines a powerful light in the darkness.

So, are we ready for the coming of Jesus. Are we ready for Christmas? This year, the wonder of Christmas can come alive for us in brand new ways if we will open our hearts and let God help us get ready for Christmas!

This Advent season is the time to Prepare ye the way of the Lord.