How long, O Lord? The question is posed repeatedly by the Psalmist. It continues to be posed across the ages, uttered even by our lips in the shadows of a dark season. How long must I suffer this illness? Drag through this labor? Bear with evil men? Did not our Lord himself wonder this . . . . Continue Reading »
Here are some Advent tunes that will delight the ears and enhance the soul's joyful anticipation of Christ's coming. Continue Reading »
George Weigel recommends books for your Christmas shopping list. Continue Reading »
Even in a churchless family, the build-up of present-buying leading to Christmas can bear a wealth of eschatological meaning. Continue Reading »
Regardless of the dark winter about to descend, Advent reminds us that God will keep us firm to the end and that we have been called to fellowship with Jesus Christ. Continue Reading »
I am thinking a lot this Christmas about the fact that for many people, more than would ever be willing to admit openly, there is very little, “merry” about Christmas. They are caught up in personal troubles and situations that are causing them intense pain and anguish of heart and mind, . . . . Continue Reading »
hymn, n [from the Latin hymnus, song of praise] 1: a song of praise to God 2: a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious serviceFor centuries, Christians have sung hymns in order to praise God. Anyone who knows a hymn like “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” or “Now . . . . Continue Reading »
It’s funny because Linus makes the grave reading of Luke 2 for Charlie Brown and says, “That’s what it’s all about, Charlie Brown,” and we feel like something really important® has been said by Dollie Madison cakes and Coca-Cola. But Luke 2 isn’t in a vacuum. The matter of what happened on the night in question in the city of David when there was no room in the inn is not really about anything – unless there is something more to this child than a birth in poverty into an indifferent world. Continue Reading »
My point, so far, is that God’s wrath is coming, and Jesus — whose birth we celebrate at Christmas — is the savior from that wrath. It’s a point a lot of people got because that’s what a savior is — and it’s a point I have made here before, so you were . . . . Continue Reading »
As I’m writing this fourth part, I’m betting that you’re worn out already — “OK, Frank: wrath of God. I got it. Christ was born to satisfy the wrath of God, and that’s good, and that’s a really sound reason to have joy at Christmas. Amen — I’m . . . . Continue Reading »
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