Below I’m honored to publish a GUEST POST from my wife, Tracy Bradford. _____________________________________ Christmas week has started! School is out of session, Christmas is only days away, and everyone is hustling and bustling with the busyness of the Christmas season… Oh, Christmas Week! You have so much potential! You hold the hopes of merriment, joy, happiness, hopefulness, and much … Read More
It’s Christmas–Come Back to Church!
So many people return to church at Christmas time that there’s even a joke about it. One Sunday a man is leaving church, and he says to the minister, “You need to expand your repertoire. Every time I come here, you’re talking about Jesus being born in a manger. He must’ve done more than that!” Why do so many people come to church … Read More
Waiting on David
Advent, the Christian season that starts the Christian calendar and focuses on the coming of Jesus, starts today! Throughout Advents (ending on Christmas Day), I’m posting thoughts about the coming of Jesus and explaining some things about Christmas that might not be clear to you.Have you ever wondered why Jesus is referred to as the son of David in the … Read More
What is Advent?
Advent is the season of expectant preparation that involves the four Sundays before Christmas and Christmas Day itself. Advent literally means “coming”. It involves reading scripture, prayer, and often the lighting of candles. This coming Sunday it will begin and we will be encouraging our congregation to begin a period of Bible reading and prayer in a way to mark … Read More
WHY I Observe Advent
For the last few days or so, I have been posting things about Advent. In our home, observing Advent means that we read certain passages of scripture centered on the coming Messiah and the Christmas story each night and take probably 15 minutes or so to listen to those scriptures, light some candles, sing a carol and pray together. (Many … Read More