Unexpected news? A bill you didn’t see coming? Health issues for someone you love? Relationships strained? I get it. It’s hard any time of the year, but worse at Christmas. Looking at my friends’ profiles, it’s easy to see that I’m not alone in thinking the peaceful season is fraught with pain and worry andContinue reading “Why One Line in This Christmas Song May Be the Greatest Ever Written”
Category Archives: Faith
The Messiness of Christmas
We often forget how awfully terrible the birth of Jesus was. When we look at our nativity scenes, with cheerful people adoringly staring at a smiling happy baby in a manger, we forget the mess: The mess of politics that drove the young couple from their home nearly 100 miles away to an overcrowded townContinue reading “The Messiness of Christmas”
It Doesn’t Start With the Manger
The story of Christmas doesn’t begin in Bethlehem. It begins at the beginning of time when two people willfully disobey God’s one command, shattering the relationship between the Creator and His creation. The very day that sin enters the world, God promises that a Savior, the Messiah, will come… someday. Abraham, Jacob, Ruth, David, allContinue reading “It Doesn’t Start With the Manger”
All is Well
I first wrote these words to myself on this day two years ago: you are going to be okay. It’s amazing how much this phrase still resonates during the holidays. Everyone needs the reminder, because everyone is facing something that grips them during this time of year. Whether its schedules and busyness, worries and fears,Continue reading “All is Well”
Don’t Forget the Wonder
There’s an important story in the life of Christ that might be good for us to take a look at before we jump into the busy holiday season that really kicks off for most of us this week. As we get ready for the familiar feelings of baking, being with friends and family, decorating forContinue reading “Don’t Forget the Wonder”
Paul’s Incredible Juxtaposition
I love the book of Acts. It’s an adventure story, full of leadership lessons, a lot of interpersonal drama. After countless incredible miracles and moments, churches being planted, and the Good News spreading from Jerusalem to the capital of the Roman Empire, the unlikely hero, the apostle Paul, nears the end of his life. While […]
Who is My Neighbor?
Last year was–a bit rough. 2018 seemed liked a bit of a hot mess in many ways. Shootings. National unrest. Election insanity. There’s so much anger. So much fear. Watch the news for five minutes and you’ll hear stories about race, religion, politics—most of them showing humanity at its worst. If you’re a parent,Continue reading “Who is My Neighbor?”
You Don’t Have to Build a Rollercoaster
My favorite Disney cartoons of the past few years have been the ones about close family relationships. The “What are we going to do today?” question of Phineas & Ferb wouldn’t have been nearly as memorable without the genuine affection their sister Candace and their parents had for the inventive kids. Gravity Falls‘ weird and wonderfulContinue reading “You Don’t Have to Build a Rollercoaster”
Too Much of a Good Thing
As a parent, I frequently think about what my kids pay attention to. I can tell when they begin to spend too much time thinking about things that distract them from what’s important. When they think too much about a video game, I limit their game time. When they get obsessive over an artist orContinue reading “Too Much of a Good Thing”
I Really Don’t Care How You Feel About Red Cups
In 1997, Starbucks introduced a special new cup to hold its beverages during the holiday season. “The theme for holiday was “Give in to the Rhythm,” and the red festive cups punctuated the jewel-toned palate of deep reds, greens, blues and yellows and a jazzy Santa with a profile that evoked the Starbucks siren,” accordingContinue reading “I Really Don’t Care How You Feel About Red Cups”
Duane S. Montague 