One Advent I was gloomy, because several people I loved were struggling with sickness and divorce. Their suffering made it too difficult to gear up for frosted sugar cookies and “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Yet, I was mildly interested in the growing Christmas light competition between two neighbors. And then there was the Golden Retriever, newly acquired…
Every December, followers of Jesus enter a season of expecting and remembering the amazing gift of Immanuel, “God is with us.” No present tops this: God entrusting the future Savior to Mary and her husband Joseph. But we sometimes forget the reason for the season. Right? It’s such a hustle, bustle time: post Thanksgiving busyness, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, last…
We were dining at a Chinese restaurant last year when our hostess joyously mentioned she had attended her first Thanksgiving dinner after living in the U.S.A. for over 18 years. Parents of her daughter’s friend had extended the invitation for the traditional turkey and all the trimmings. I was happy she was thrilled to experience…