I Love Christmas. And I Hate Christmas.
Kevin T. Bauder If the ghost of Christmas past is composed of the memories of our earlier Christmases, then I am haunted by a splendid… Read More »I Love Christmas. And I Hate Christmas.
Christmas
By the Waters of Babylon Episode 10 now available: The Advent of Christ
Christmas—a very mention of the word produces delight and expectation in the hearts of people everywhere. Or does it? For some Christians, Christmas is a… Read More »By the Waters of Babylon Episode 10 now available: The Advent of Christ
Two resources for your church or family during the Advent/Christmas season
The Advent and Christmas seasons are just around the corner, a wonderful time of year to sing rich Christological hymns with your church and family.… Read More »Two resources for your church or family during the Advent/Christmas season
Merry Christmas, Heretics, One and All
Security companies enjoy a kind of odd gratitude for criminals. After all, without the threat of crime, security companies would have little in the way… Read More »Merry Christmas, Heretics, One and All
Incarnation and Inculturation
Kevin T. Bauder The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a fundamental of the gospel. Essential to our salvation is the teaching that the Second Person… Read More »Incarnation and Inculturation
New Book: Hymns and Carols of Advent and Christmas
I am pleased new announce a new collection of hymns and carols for Advent and Christmas. This is simply all of the Advent/Christmas hymns included… Read More »New Book: Hymns and Carols of Advent and Christmas
Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 36: The Birth of Jesus Christ
Week 36: The Birth of Jesus Christ Weekly memory verse: Psalm 100:1–2 – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the… Read More »Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 36: The Birth of Jesus Christ
The Three Christmases
Kevin T. Bauder Conservative Christians have long debated the observance of Christmas. While most Christians celebrate Christmas with joy and enthusiasm, a few object on… Read More »The Three Christmases
The Christ We Need
Kevin T. Bauder Our understanding of Christ connects directly to the gospel. Gospel means good news. The goodness of the good news stands out only… Read More »The Christ We Need
The profound simplicity of “Away in a Manger”
Christmas: the one time of the year that most churches actually sing good hymns! Some of our traditional Christmas hymns really are quite profound, the… Read More »The profound simplicity of “Away in a Manger”
Was Jesus born in the bleak midwinter?
Understood as poet Christina Rosetti meant it, the answer to the question posed in the title of this post is, Yes. English poet Christina Rosetti… Read More »Was Jesus born in the bleak midwinter?
The Incarnation and Angelic Salvation
The apostle Paul clearly taught that Christ’s incarnation is essential to our salvation. He wrote to the Corinthians, “Since by man came death, by man… Read More »The Incarnation and Angelic Salvation
Where is Christ in Christmas?
The following article was originally published in the Nov/Dec 2006 edition of Frontline Magazine. Christmas—a very mention of the word produces delight and expectation in the hearts… Read More »Where is Christ in Christmas?
When are the Twelve Days of Christmas?
You can’t escape them. There are 12 Days of Christmas contests on the radio, 12 Days of Christmas sales at the mall, 12 Days of… Read More »When are the Twelve Days of Christmas?
Which advent is in view in “Joy to the World”?
We are in the midst of a wonderful time in the year when we can reflect upon the advent of our Lord and the redemption that… Read More »Which advent is in view in “Joy to the World”?
Order your Christmas Family Devotional Now!
A few years ago we published a new daily devotional for the Christmas season by Pastor Taigen Joos that has been very well-received. This devotional is perfect for… Read More »Order your Christmas Family Devotional Now!
Today is why Christmas is on December 25
Have you ever wondered Christians celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ on December 25? A common answer is that Emperor Constantine decided to celebrate Christmas… Read More »Today is why Christmas is on December 25
This is the Truth Sent from Above
The carol “This is the Truth Sent from Above” is a traditional carol whose text originates from words that first appeared in the 19th century.… Read More »This is the Truth Sent from Above
Christians and Christmas
I had to work my way through both college and grad school. Over the years I held a variety of jobs. I worked in a… Read More »Christians and Christmas
Is the secularization of Christmas anything new?
Every year about this time we begin to hear again about the “war on Christmas,” and this year is no different. Apparently Starbucks is the… Read More »Is the secularization of Christmas anything new?