“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) I recently heard a different account of the Christmas Story, told through the eyes of a six year-old little Russian boy named Misha. He took a few liberties with the truth, but boy did it ever change the way he looked at the world around him. Misha had never heard the story about the birth of Jesus until a missionary visited the orphanage where he […]

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) All around the world, children are flocking to malls and shopping centers to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. The truth is the real story of Santa Claus has gotten lost in the commercialization of Christmas, a testament of sorts largely to the genius retailers who wanted to be sure that moms and dads didn’t forget them at Christmas either. The irony behind all this truth is the story of St. […]

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For he himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.” (Hebrews 13:5) I wrote a column several years ago to encourage all of us to take some time this Christmas to say something encouraging to those who live and work around us. Lord knows we all need it. The column also appeared on my website, www.devotions.com, and I received emails from around the world thanking me for my website and encouraging […]

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17) We often do not associate this verse with the Christmas season, but the truth is there could not be a better verse. Indeed, Jesus came to save, not to condemn. We are living in the final days. But until Jesus returns to judge, he is still here to save. Hope is not lost, and that includes the hope you still have for that […]