O God, who hast caused this holy night to shine with the illumination of the true Light: Grant us, we beseech thee, that as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth . . . Read more…
God of God, Light of Light
O God of God! O Light of Light!/Thou Prince of Peace, Thou King of kings,/To Thee, where angels know no night,/
The song of praise forever rings . . . Read more…
Science Corner: H2O Christmas Tree
At Christmas, God’s love flowed into the world in a new way.Read more…
Love Came Down at Christmas: Christmas Day
Love came down at Christmas,/Love all lovely, Love Divine;/Love was born at Christmas,/Star and Angels gave the sign.Read more…
Earth, Strike Up Your Music: Christmas Eve
Christmas hath a darkness/Brighter than the blazing noon,/Christmas hath a chillness/Warmer than the heat of June,Read more…
A Joyful New Year
The season of Christmas continues as the calendar year begins. We pray for a year of rich growth and deep delight in God’s goodness. Here is a hymn for the new year. Read more…
Merry Christmas!
As we celebrate our Savior’s birth, we wish you a full and rich time of worship and joy. Enjoy this classic Christmas hymn with your friends and family. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,Read more…
Science In Review — Christmas Craft
At a neighborhood Christmas party, I had a lively and stimulating conversation about some of the technical elements of filmmaking–editing, cinematography, action choreography, and the like. . . . Now, if you’ve made it this far, you’re possibly wondering why I’m talking so much about art in a column nominally about science. I think it helps to illuminate how I think about magic, and how that relates to miracles. . . .Read more…
Scholar’s Compass: Sir Gawain Seeks Christmas
One of my favourite Medieval, Middle-English poems (if you don’t have one you really should), is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It begins at a Christmas feast in King Arthur’s court. All are feasting and laughing when suddenly a giant of a man comes riding into the hall where the courtiers are feasting.Read more…
The Day After Christmas
On Sunday, December 29th, Gene Wingert[1] wove The Day After Christmas throughout the morning worship service at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (referred to as EBIC in the PDF). The meditation was so stirring that I asked for a copy toRead more…
Science in Review — December 2013
It turns out that I believe in Santa Claus. Now, to be clear, I don’t actually believe in a solitary individual who resides at the North Pole and oversees a colony of toy-making elves.Read more…
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Angels
But right off the bat, we notice that having cute little children portray angels doesn’t really do angels justice. Every time we encounter angels, one of the first things they say is, “Fear not!” Read more…
What Books are on Your Christmas Lists?
What books are on your Christmas lists, not only your own wish list, but also ones you desire to give to others and/or suggest for a book discussion in the coming year? I am very interested in learning what Emerging Scholars desireRead more…
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Zechariah
Zechariah has been in the shadow of his famous son – 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.Read more…
Babies and Bethlehem
Few things arouse human emotion as strongly as babies do. They are one of the few remaining cultural icons of innocence, operating with the simplest and purest of human feelings. Read more…
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi
What is of interest to us is the fact that when they inquire of Herod they say, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matt 2:2). Read more…
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: Shepherds
The shepherds, perhaps because of their lowly status, are the first to be told of Jesus birth.Read more…
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Merry Christmas!
Kingdom Calling in the New Year
In kicking off a new year, let’s prayerfully consider, discuss, work toward, learn to embrace (& even be embraced by) Kingdom Calling.Read more…
(After) Advent: Celebrating Well
Yes, Christmas Day has come and gone, but Christmas lasts twelve days.Read more…
Praise and Thanksgiving
Today join me in praising God for his blessing and asking him to continue to grow in all of us a heart of thankfulness and joy.Read more…
What have you been watching over Christmas Break?
Last week I asked, What have you been reading over Christmas Break?* Now I’d like to know what you’ve been watching. Below is my movie reel with some comments. Comments … Tom Grosh IVEnjoys daily conversations regarding living outRead more…
Advent Table Topic: The Greatest Christmas Gift of All
From On the Incarnation,* by Saint Athanasius (c. 297 – 373) . . .Read more…
Before the Presence of God
No Week-in-Review this week. May this quotation from Living the Christian Year help put your Christmas in proper perspective. So in this season we come once more to Bethlehem in the poverty of the shepherds and humility of the Magi. Read more…