When you have experienced tragedy or loss, holidays can be a trigger for those memories. It doesn’t help that everyone else around you seems to be celebrating and so happy . Even at church the message can seem to be: “Why aren’t you happy? It’s Jesus’ birthday!” Is that really what God thinks? Is it…
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“Go Tell It On The Mountain” is a popular Christmas song, especially for kids. Do you ever stop to think about what it means? Why a mountain? What are we supposed to tell? What does it have to do with shepherds? The Song (with lyrics) Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and…
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Did you know Jesus celebrated Hanukkah? In fact, at one such celebration, He taught something very important about Himself. What is Hanukkah? Here is a video that explains the origin of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah). Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah John 10:22-39 describe Jesus’ teaching as He was in Jerusalem for the Feast…
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Versions of this question are often tossed around when new babies are born. “Who do you think he (or she) looks like?” Usually, the answer is mom, dad, or a mix of the two. Physical characteristics pass from generation to generation, but so do character traits and other tendencies. Do you ever wonder who Jesus…
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Did you know that not all Christmas carols are happy? One sad carol is the “Coventry Carol,” also known as “Lully Lullay.” You may not remember it, but this is one of my favorites. The words and music are sad, but they point to the hope we have in Jesus Christ. NOTE TO PARENTS: Please…
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Do you know the song “12 Days of Christmas”? Some people wonder what all those funny things mean. The Song The Challenge Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to look through the Bible and find things that might match each number. For example, there were 12 disciples, 12 tribes of Israel, 12…
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What is your favorite part of Christmas? I seem to be asking that a lot this year as I am getting to know new kids and adults in the area. I’ve heard some surprising answers too: Spending time with family (from adults, teens, and kids). Handing out gifts to people in the hospital (from a…
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Some of the Christmas carols we sing mean more than you may have realized. For instance, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” talks about “ransoming Israel.” What does that mean? Gather up the family, settle in, and think with me for a bit about the advent, the coming, of Jesus. Click here for a shorter family…
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Does your church sing the hymn (song) “Now Thank We All Our God” around Thanksgiving time? It is one of my favorites. As you listen to the video below, listen for some reasons we have to thank God. (Click this link for the lyrics only.) This hymn begins by saying, “Now thank we all our…
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Note from Nancy Ruth: The terrorist attack on Paris resonates strongly with me. We live and work in Oklahoma which was attacked on April 19, 1995. Several good friends of mine were at the Wedgwood Church shooting September 16, 1999. I had family working in New York City on September 11, 2001. I had family…
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