by Bradley Long, Associate Director Full confession—I am a crier. I tear up watching TV, especially when watching movies that are sweet or sappy. I cried tears of joy when the Atlanta Braves won the World Series in 2021. My mom—who gave me this trait—and I have a... read more →
Jan
04
Dec
25
“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." —John 1:14 (MSG) Christmas is here—our Savior has come! We've spent some time this Advent season with a diverse cast of characters on the road to Bethlehem. In her litany "Nativity," author and liturgist Pat Bennett offers a... read more →
Dec
24
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all…" —Titus 2:11 As we reach the end of our Advent journey and enter the joy of Christmas Eve, we reflect on a question our ministry partners around the world are often asked. Why would God do something as... read more →
Dec
23
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" —Matthew 28:19 For many centuries, people like you and me have been invited to participate in God’s redemptive story. Often to our surprise—and always... read more →
Dec
22
“This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’" —Matthew 3:3 Advent would not be complete without the peculiar character we call John the Baptist—the Advent... read more →
Dec
21
“Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt…'" —Matthew 2:13 The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth do not linger long in Bethlehem. Following the departure of the... read more →
Dec
20
“At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem." —Luke 2:38 Anna, a prophet, was widowed at a young age. Following her husband's death, she made herself at home in Jerusalem's temple,... read more →
Dec
19
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon...it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah." —Luke 2:25-26 Forty days after Jesus’ birth, His parents took Him to the temple in Jerusalem to... read more →
Dec
18
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." —Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) The word advent means coming or arrival. When referring to Jesus' arrival, however, advent takes on a special meaning, representing... read more →
Dec
17
“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under..." —Matthew 2:16 King Herod ruled over Judea with Roman approval for more than 30 years. Never... read more →