THE GOOD HANDS OF CHRISTMAS

In late November and early December 2012, Lavone and I were priviledged to be on sabbatical in the Holy Land.  During that time we visited Bethlehem and found this nativity carving.  It has since become a Christmas icon in our home during Advent and Christmas. We love the symbolism of this nativity—the Holy Couple, with …

No, Mary Didn’t Know

Of course, that is the point of the song, isn’t it?  Mary could never have guessed all that her child, hers yet God’s, would do.  The exploits, the healing, the mastery of all powers earthly and heavenly, and the use of them all to love people whole and well.  Then again, had Mary thought about what …

Christmas Transformation

The message of Christmas means that things are not what they seem, that a new world has dawned so that we find ourselves on the front edge of powerful and beautiful realities worthy of the Maker who became like the made in order to re-make everything better than new.  In the jubilant words of Mother …

Jesus Comes for Us–Precisely for All!

  The Lord our God loves, chooses, and works with/through a people to right the wrong of their lives and world, whatever, however, whenever. But, the Lord does so, not just for them, but for all, for as many as will … The Lord loves his own, so that he may love all. The Lord …

God as Baby?!

C.S. Lewis famously noted that the greatest miracle of Christianity is not the resurrection but the incarnation. If you can accept that God became a baby, the resurrection should not be a problem. But when you held your first-born baby, or grandchild, or any infant, you probably did not think, “This is how God was!” …