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December 18

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

One of the most beautiful scenes at Christmas is a decorated house. Even better, a house of lights with music! 🙂  Here is one example. (Beware it is not a Christmas song, but the display is phenomenal).  We have a local flower shop that decorates their store, but they also have this h-u-u-u-g-e, tall tree they also decorate. I have been tempted to go in and ask him if he puts the lights up every Christmas or just unplugs them. We have a man in our church who goes all out decorating his property and house with lights. They recently downsized and when I asked him about his lights he said he was having them but not as many. It isn’t his age but we had a rain, then a freeze and the light cords froze to the ground. But his house was always a wonderland of beauty. 

In our house, one of the traditions Jo has is putting up the tree Thanksgiving Day and leaving it up until after Christmas. It doesn’t just stay up; it stays lit. Like 24 hours. If one chose to sleep in the living room a sunburn could very well be the result. I kid. Seriously though, the lights are on 24/7, even when we are gone. Growing up we were never blessed with a lot of money (but never starved) so dad would wait until Christmas Eve day and go find a tree. He might pay $1 for it but we didn’t care. It was put up and lit, the train was ready to go, and the house decorated before we came down the stairs on Christmas morning. I don’t even want to think how late mom and dad stayed up to get all that done. But the lights didn’t stay on. That was during the time when safety was definitely more of an issue than now, and those lights really used the electricity. But consider how far we have come since the first lights were used on trees. They were called “candles” and fires were a definite hazard.  🙂

But any light display you can find pales in comparison to what the Bible says: “Jesus is the Light of world.” (John 8:12).  If you are a Christ-follower, the light of Christ has shown into your heart. Why not share that light with someone else this Christmas season? Brighten their world in a very real and permanent way. 

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December 17

Wednesday, December 17th, 2025

It is not unusual to hear or to even say-and I have-that Thanksgiving should be and is to be more than one day out of the year. Thanksgiving should be 24/7/365. The inference (even though it is more than just inferred or implied) is that the spirit of Thanksgiving is to so dominate us that it weaves its way into every day of the year. 

Let’s suppose we take that same approach to Christmas. Let’s supposed we make the statement, “Christmas ought to be 24/7/365.” So, does that mean we should have Christmas cookies, candy, eggnog, gifts and all the other trappings of Christmas year ’round? I know. I know. Some of you would say, “Most definitely.” You like the idea of cookies and candy everyday of the week. Sorry, I’m not in that camp (unless it says chocolate somewhere on the wrapper). Nor am I in the camp of keeping the lights and Christmas tree up all year and LIT! Don’t get me wrong. I love seeing the lights and coming home to a house smelling of pine, but at my age I don’t do the work associated with either. The thought of climbing ladders or working so hard to get a tree into a holder and to keep it watered just does not appeal to me anymore.  🙂

In all seriousness, what do I mean by Christmas 24/7/365? It really is quite simple: to say Christmas all year ’round is to have the attitude we find in Philippians 2: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Paul then goes on to describe that attitude. He talks about not doing things out of selfishness or trying to impress people. Be humble, thinking of others as better than ourselves. Don’t look out for my own interests but take an interest in others.” (verses 3-4). 

THAT, my friends, is the spirit of Christmas. And why not have that all year ’round? Humility. Selflessness. Can you imagine what our world, our lives would be like if we did have that attitude? It is called giving our lives away. 

Yes indeed, just imagine. 

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December 16

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

Have you ever been in the presence of someone or read something about what someone did and find yourself really impressed?  When an athlete, for example, doesn’t just spout off religious cliche’s but his/her life and demeanor show him/her to be sincere; I’m impressed. When someone stands up for something they believe in, regardless of the trolls and media backlash (I can think of a few examples right now); I’m impressed. When a young person refuses to give into the pressure of his/her peers and stands for truth; I’m impressed. I could go on, but you can get my drift, and I’m sure can think of some examples of your own. 

So much about the Christmas story impresses me. A few examples are the number of players involved like the shepherds, the wise men, the innkeeper, Herod, etc. But what really impresses me are three people in the cast of many. 

First and foremost: Jesus. The whole story is about Him. It is about God becoming flesh in the form of a baby in a feeding trough. I’m impressed. 

Second: Joseph. Put yourself in his place. He is in love with a young woman. A teenager. He, if he is like other men in his culture, would have begun preparing a place for them to live in. Then he finds this young girl is pregnant and it is not his. His inclination was to divorce her-“put her away.” (They were considered “married” in their culture). But a dream changed all that. And Joseph woke up from the dream determined to take this young girl as his wife and raise the child that was not his. I’m impressed.

Third (and you probably guessed) is Mary. A young girl “living the dream.” Being in love with a man who will take care of her for the rest of their lives. Her story is told over and over, but let’s not forget her response. I wrote about this on December 10th. Surprised by the angel Gabriel that she would bear a child and it was from the Holy Spirit. She would be the mother of the promised Messiah. Her response? “I’m yours. Have it your way.”  I’m impressed.

How can you not read the Christmas story account and not be impressed by the response of the different players, especially these three. How can we stay unfazed as though nothing happened? I would say we can’t. I think if we are unfazed by it all then we need to check our hearts and revisit the story again. 

What do you think?

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December 15

Monday, December 15th, 2025

I don’t know where you are living as you read this, but if you live anywhere near me (Spencer, IN) you faced a rather trying weekend. The snow started flying Saturday around 9:00 am (2 hours earlier than they said) and quit sometime in the evening after dark. When all was said and done we had 5-8″ inches of that white stuff from you-know-where. But along with that was bitter cold temps hitting a Sunday low of -3 around 7:00 am. We made the decision to cancel church and just do live stream. Ryan, our youth pastor, and I were here to do the live stream but something was up with the internet connection and the Sling Studio. So we didn’t even get a chance to live stream. We did record it on his phone and he will be uploading it for the folks to watch. 

I’d like to say it was a comedy of errors but something about that doesn’t strike my funny bone. Ryan did all he knew to do over and over but it still would not stay connected. Then there is me: a person with a dunce cap who has no clue about all IT stuff. 

Now for a Christmas thought: I think one of the overarching themes of this time of year is generosity. The idea of Jesus’ words through Paul (“It is more blessed to give than to receive”) really find a home during the Christmas season. From ringing bells, to Angel Tree gifts, to packing bags of food for kids to take home for Christmas break, to random gift cards, to (you fill in the blank), generosity seems to hit a nerve. 

The seed for that generosity is anchored in a somewhat mythical figure named Santa Claus. I don’t get on the bandwagon about him. I have bigger fish to fry and that is a battle I choose not to fight. I really don’t care. And I am appalled at those who say, “SANTA has the same letters as SATAN.” That is just dumb. The legend of SC is inspired by the feel-good story of St. Nicholas whose idea was seeing every family or person in need and then trying to help. 

Granted, some have taken it too far. But rather than protest in rebellion, why not use it as a springboard to be the most generous people around? After all, we do serve a very generous God who gave the greatest gift of all. Spread some generosity around this year. Smiles and love should be included. 

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December 11

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

My title for this devotion is Christmas vs Easter.  Celebratory vs Solemn.

Let’s be honest for a moment. Is that not the way we tend to look at Christmas and Easter? Christmas Eve vs Good Friday. The tree vs the Cross. We call it the 12 days of Christmas and even have Advent calendars of all sizes, shapes, colors, and makes. For Easter we have Lent-seen as a solemn time leading up to Good Friday and “Easter Sunday.”  Which one is more important? Which one is the one to focus on? Which one do we celebrate?

In my mind it is not a case of either/or. It is a case of both/and. In God’s grand scheme of things, Christmas is not more celebratory than Easter. Sure, Christmas is a time of celebration-nowadays dating back to the day after Thanksgiving (but slowly creeping back to around the close of Halloween). I once read where someone cynically said pretty soon it will be Santa being pulled by 8 tiny rabbits. The way our culture is going that doesn’t seem an unlikely prospect does it? 🙂

But if you really think about it, without Christmas Easter makes no sense. And without Easter Christmas is only an introduction but has no conclusion. Taken separately, Christmas speaks of birth; Easter speaks of death and resurrection. Seen together we Someone born; we see Someone die; we see Someone born to die. 

We often hear during this season the slogan “Wise men still seek Him.” True. But not just at Christmas. Wise men worship the child who was born in a manger (but they came to see so much later). But in their visit and gift giving they also saw Someone who was to die. Gifts of gold (a gift fit for a king), frankincense (a gift used for worship), and myrrh (a gift used for burial). Prophetic? I believe so. But in their gifts they, without their knowledge I’m sure, showed how Christmas and Easter go together. 

Enjoy Christmas this year. But as you do, remember that it also finds its conclusion at the Cross and empty tomb. My closing thought? “Father, I thank You for the story of Christmas. I also thank You for the story of Easter. And I thank You they make more sense and have more meaning when seen together.” 

 

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December 10

Wednesday, December 10th, 2025

If I was to put a title to this devotion it would Seriously? You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! vs. Seriously? I’m Yours. 

One of the weaknesses of someone with my personality (extreme Sanguine) is the tendency to take things as said. Some would call it naivete’.  People will often say things to me and I tend to accept them at face value. Now, given some time I may change my outlook or perspective, but initially acceptance and not skepticism is my normal reaction. That is why I have adopted the moniker “there are two sides to every story.” 

That’s why the story of Zechariah (Z) and the story of Mary are contrasts to me. Hence, the title I gave this devotion. 

  • Both were going about their daily life. 
  • Both found themselves in the presence of an angel. 
  • Both received a message so incredulous it was stunning!
  • One responded with doubt and skepticism; the other with acceptance. 

Both Z and Mary received word a baby was on the way. Z balked. Doubted. Mary questioned. Believed. They both asked, “Seriously?” but in their own way. Z’s ended up being more of a “You-have-got-to-be-kidding-me” moment, while Mary’s was “So be it. I am yours.”  I, for one, am so glad she said, “Yes.” 🙂

What will mine be? What will yours be? I confess I have said/done both. There have been times I seriously questioned God’s leading. There have also been times when I surrendered and said, “Let it be Your will not mine.”  To put it the current language of this blog: I have been like Z and said, “Seriously, Lord? You have got to be kidding me!” I have also been like Mary and said, “Seriously? Okay, Lord, whatever You want. Have it Your way. I will follow.” 

May my response and your response to obstacles or God’s leading by more like Mary’s than Z’s. 

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December 9

Tuesday, December 9th, 2025

I had a tradition I broke several years ago. Every Thanksgiving Day I would watch It’s a Wonderful Life (IWL). I would then find time during the day to watch The Santa Clause (TSC) featuring Tim Allen. I broke that tradition because our local theater began showing IWL on the big screen (and who in their right mind would rather watch a movie on a TV screen as opposed to a big movie screen?). So I eased off that tradition and with no TV or DVD player in my room at the time (Jo was not interested in watching TSC with me), it just dropped off my radar. This year I renewed that tradition. Well, half way. I watched IWL on Thanksgiving Day. 

IWL is hands down my favorite Christmas movie. The first time (and probably the second or third time) I watched it I choked up. George Bailey was a local yokel whose dream was to “see the world!” But each time his dream was thwarted by events beyond his control. A father who has a stroke and dies. A brother who leaves for college and comes back married and with a job. One desperate night he had come to the end of his rope (his absent-minded uncle Billy misplaced thousands of dollars. Actually, Mr. Potter had it. Words cannot describe him).  George prays, “Dear Father in heaven. I’m not a praying men, but if you’re up there, and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope.” The situation brought about thoughts of suicide, but thanks to Clarence, the angel who finally got his wings, he saw what life would be like if he had never been born. It was not a pretty site. In the end he realized he really did have a wonderful life. 

We live in a broken world. We could say “sinful” instead of broken and that would be true. But broken adequately describes our world. Things are broken. Sinful yes, for sure. But broken pictures someone at their wit’s end. Broken and cracked, but unable to be fixed (or so they think). And that is where the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus comes in at. He, and He alone, is able to fix our brokenness, to make us whole. Perfect? No. But put back together? Yes.  

Why not ask God to mend you and make you whole? And then spend time helping others find the ONE who can heal their brokenness. And if you are at the end of your rope, don’t chuck it all. Please seek help. 

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December 8

Monday, December 8th, 2025

Yesterday’s sermon was “Only the Weak Survive.” Of course, it was a play off of the saying, “Only the strong survive.” Charles Darwin taught the survival of the fittest and I feel like it morphed into the more current saying “Only the strong survive.” 

When you think about it, Christmas is contrary to modern ideology. It goes against the grain of our normal way of thinking. Do any of you remember the commercials featuring the Marlboro Man? It was a tobacco commercial featuring a hunky, good-looking dude generally dressed as a cowboy, smoking, always smoking. He was a true man’s man. Rugged. Western. Strong. Until, of course, we found out smoking was linked to lung cancer. If I remember correctly even some of those models died of it. Our society glorifies the strong men and women of sports. We offer them gobs of money to represent a product and people flock to that product. For the longest time, Marvel was at the top rung of the food chain in movie making. Their heroes were strong, could stop bullets, change the landscape or even travel through time.  Superman was able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. 

Enter Christmas. The whole story was not one of strength, but weakness. While Herod, the Romans, and the religious leaders were showing their strength (which was actually a weakness), God was showing His weakness and humility (which was actually a strength) by coming to earth in human flesh as a helpless baby. Who would have thought that humble virgin and carpenter from a backwater town, would be the ideal parents for “God made flesh”? I certainly wouldn’t have given him a ghost of a chance of making it. 

But He did. He was like no other. And when you think about it, that was God’s MO. He used the weak to shame the strong. Maybe we should take the hint. Instead of putting off airs of being more important or stronger than someone else, perhaps we ought to realize the strength in humility.

I think Darwin was wrong. I like God’s way better: only the weak survive. 

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December 4

Thursday, December 4th, 2025

Missing Christmas. That is where my thoughts go this morning. 

In 2002 John Grisham published a book called Skipping Christmas. In 2004 it was made into a movie starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as Luther and Norma Krank entitled Christmas with the Kranks. When their daughter decided she was going to spend Christmas in Peru, the Kranks decided they would do away with celebrating Christmas.  The flyleaf described Grisham’s book with these words: “Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That’s what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decided, just this once, they’ll skip the holiday altogether.” Both the book and the movie are a funny take on this prospect. 

As I was making my way to the office this morning, I was listening to a Christmas album by Tommy James. The song that played as I got in my car was called It’s Christmas Again. You can listen to that song here. The lyrics are in the liner notes below the video. It is a song about lost love. But it brings up a good point. There are plenty of people, and we know them, who find Christmas an annoyance or a reminder of life gone wrong. While people around them are celebrating the season, they are dreading it, or feel totally lost. Maybe it is a reminder of better times. Maybe, as the song suggests, it a reminder of what we once had. For some this Christmas season will be spent longing to see or to hold someone whom they will never have a chance to again…until eternity. They would, for all practical purposes, just as soon skip Christmas and go right into the new year. Forget the festivities. Forget the cheery greetings. Forget the parties. Forget the eggnog. They want something stronger. 

I don’t say this to be a downer to you. I say this to encourage you. First, if that describes you: you are not alone. Seek help if possible. Second, if that is not you but you know someone it does describe: reach out. Reach out with empathy. Not just sympathy. They have had all the sympathy they need. They do need someone who will give up some time; take time out a busy schedule; make a call; go out to eat, or any number of things to love them and show you care. I know people; you know people; who are dreading the holidays. Don’t allow them to wallow in their sorrow and depression. At least not alone. Come alongside them with love and encouragement. 

I’m not a professional counselor so no advice for the hurting, except to say, “Find someone to share your heart with.” Don’t struggle alone. But for we who know someone, make time to give your heart away to someone who so desperately needs to know they are loved. Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” That doesn’t exist. Do it today. 

 

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December 3

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

“STILL THE ONE!”

That is my sermon theme for 2026. I will try to have every sermon follow that guide-that Jesus is still the ONE! 

My first sermon for 2026 will focus on why Jesus deserves to be “The One.” I will be using John 1:1-15 and Hebrews 1:1-14. Peter said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn. 6:68-69) The passage from John 1:1-2 is the focus of my thoughts today. “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.”

For years people have tried to picture or draw pictures of Jesus. I remember when He was pictured as a blue-eyed blonde. As if. Middle Eastern blue-eyed blonde? Yeah, right. Then there are those who have pictured Him as this passively contented man, staring dreamily into the eyes of sheep He is holding. Again. Yeah right. But you know, the picture of Jesus we are given in the Bible has NOTHING to do with physical presence, except what Isaiah says, “He had no form or majesty that we should look at him.” In other words, His physical looks did not draw people to Him. There was something much deeper. It was Jesus, the Man, who drew the attention. 

Let’s consider that for a moment. Read again John 1:1-2. This Jesus was not created. The child in the manger was the very same person who created the heavens and put the stars in the sky. Ironic, isn’t it? He created the star that led the wise men to find Him and to worship Him. It is puzzling for sure: He was with God and yet, He was God.  I’ll not go into detail about the Greek words and tenses used. I barely understand it myself and I took 3 years of Greek (‘course that was over 50 years ago). I’m a little rusty these days. 🙂 

The Christ we celebrate this and every Christmas has no starting point in time. He always was. He is God now. He will be God forever.  I don’t understand it all. What I do understand is that I am called to worship Him. Join me this season won’t you? 

{All Scripture from the NLT}

 

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