Here we are, New Year’s Eve. I thought I’d try to start the new year off by emphasizing that Christmas should never end. By that I mean we should always carry the glory and light of the holy night in all that we do. It might seem unbelievable given that the “Christmas creep” now begins before Halloween, but the true Christmas season doesn’t actually start until Christmas Day itself. That’s right: December 25th marks the official start of the 12…
Today is Christmas Eve. And I wish a very Blessed & Merry Christmas to everyone. As most Christians gather today, we will gather as grateful, loving and heartfelt people. But the honest truth is: there is a lot of darkness in our world. And so, we must also gather as a hopeful people. Our hope is rooted in a promise that God made many years ago. About 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet wrote this: “For a…
Each year, we are bombarded with idyllic images of the holidays. Visions of shiny presents. Fantasies of joyful family reunions. Holiday soundtracks piped into every store. Glittering Christmas displays that started before Halloween. Many are having a blast at holiday parties or sipping cocoa with loved ones by a crackling fire. And then, there’s the rest of us. Most years that’s me. I am one of those people that believes every holiday has its time and place on the calendar….
There are so many in the world right now suffering incredible losses on multiple fronts. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a home or their very freedom; many are struggling in profound ways. Losses, grief, and pain cause us to change as human beings. When we see turmoil, strife and anguish, it can change our perspective on life. With so much discord, dysfunction and crises, it’s hard to find the laughter any day never mind finding it as…
Before I begin, my plan for the remainder of 2024 is to keep things a bit simpler here on the blog. I’ll still be posting something each week but it’s going to be more about contemplation or hopefully inspiration rather than tips or techniques. We are now just three weeks from Christmas Eve. I know not all of my followers may be a Christian but most are certainly familiar with Christmas. Regardless of your religious beliefs, I hope you all…