• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

DONATE
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Our Bloggers
    • ESN Writing Inquiries
    • Commenting Policy
  • Reading Lists
  • Scholar’s Compass
    • Scholar’s Compass Discussion Guide
    • Scholar’s Compass Posts
    • Scholar’s Compass Booklet
  • Connect
    • Membership
    • Events
    • Donate
    • Contact Us

Charlie Clauss

Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Angels

December 22, 2013 by Charlie Clauss Leave a Comment

This time of year in churches all over, little children dress up in white robes, put on wings and halos, and in general, look cute! Children dressed as angels are a staple of Christmas plays everywhere. Congregations voice their “Ahhhhs” and parents and family members hope that their “angels” behave themselves. This is as it should be – angels do play a part in the Christmas story. Christmas pageants are stylized portrayals of the story of Jesus' birth, and children dressed as angels fit right in. But we should, … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Angels

Filed Under: Advent, Christ and the Academy Tagged With: Advent, angels, babies, children, christmas, father, John the Baptist, mother, Praise and Thanksgiving, shepherds, Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story

Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Zechariah

December 15, 2013 by Charlie Clauss 3 Comments

In our first installment, we took a look at the shepherds. Last time we considered the Magi. Now it is time to learn from the story of Zechariah. Zechariah has been in the shadow of his famous son  â€“  John the Baptist. John certainly is an important character. But Zechariah was a man who had waited a long time, and so we can benefit from his story as we wait. First note that Zechariah was “getting on in years.” And he and his wife Elizabeth were childless. In our culture, childlessness has a definite sting. Many … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Zechariah

Filed Under: Advent, Christ and the Academy Tagged With: Advent, babies, children, christmas, father, John the Baptist, mother, Praise and Thanksgiving, Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story, Zechariah

Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi

December 8, 2013 by Charlie Clauss Leave a Comment

Last time we looked at the shepherds, wondering what they could teach us. Now we are headed to the other end of the cultural spectrum to the Magi. A few picky details to clear up: they were probably not kings. Most likely they are Persian astrologers. We don't know how many of them there were, but three gifts are mentioned - gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (perfume). Talking about the Magi pushes the boundaries for thinking about Advent, because the Magi don't enter into the story until almost two years after … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi

Filed Under: Advent, Christ and the Academy Tagged With: Advent, attention, christmas, Epiphany, gifts, good questions, knowledge, Magi, Messiah, Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story, worship

Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Shepherds

December 1, 2013 by Charlie Clauss 1 Comment

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8 KJV) The season of Advent is once again upon us. Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas and is a time to prepare for Christmas. This year I want to ponder some of the “supporting cast” of the Christmas story. Specifically, I want to look at the ones who are waiting; in the case of the first Christmas, waiting for the coming of the Messiah. First up will be the shepherds. There has been some … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Shepherds

Filed Under: Advent, Christ and the Academy Tagged With: Advent, christmas, Good Shepherd, King David, Messiah, sheep, shepherd, shepherds, Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story

Advent: Joy Amidst Sorrow

December 20, 2012 by Charlie Clauss Leave a Comment

If you have kept an Advent wreath this Advent, this week you lit the pink candle. Each candle has a different theme. The first two candles were hope and peace. Next week's candle is love. This week is joy. Joy is a somewhat odd note to strike in the midst of a somber season like Advent. And this year, bringing up joy seems like a cruel joke, especially to those who are having extreme sorrow. But see what the prophet Zephaniah says: Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all … [Read more...] about Advent: Joy Amidst Sorrow

Filed Under: Advent, Christ and the Academy Tagged With: Advent, Advent 2012, joy, sorrow, Zephaniah

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Become a Member

Membership is Free. Sign up and receive our monthly newsletter and access ESN member benefits.

Join ESN Today

Scholar’s Compass Booklet

Scholar's Compass Booklet

Click here to get your copy

Top Posts

  • Rest and Flourishing: ESN Weekly Summer Readings for Faculty (Small Group or Individual)
  • Rest and Growth: ESN Weekly Summer Readings for Grad Students (Small Group or Individual)
  • Faith and Reason, Part 2: Augustine
  • A Prayer for Those Finishing a Semester
  • The Message of Genesis 1

Facebook Posts

Facebook Posts

Footer

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Recent Posts

  • Encouraging One Another
  • Science Corner: Grandmother, What Grey Fur You Have
  • ESN Conversation: Nailing It

Article Categories

Footer Logo
© 2025 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA®. All rights reserved.
InterVarsity, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, and the InterVarsity logo are trademarks of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and its affiliated companies.

Member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us