a word from the pastor

What God Wants for Christmas

“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23:26 In this section of Proverbs, Solomon is warning his son against the temptation to indulge the flesh. He advises the young man to keep his eyes to wisdom’s path because, as the following verses clearly state, there ...
Read More

Beating the Christmas Blues

For many people Christmas is not “merry” at all, but lonely, sad and often painful. For them, the carols, parties and greetings have lost their meaning. Whether attributed to SAD (seasonal affective disorder), difficult circumstances or relational problems, about 10% of Americans struggle with so...
Read More

Room for Jesus

Not much has changed since Joseph and Mary were turned away from the inn at Bethlehem. As the annual celebration of his birth approaches, modern society has little space for Jesus. Secular society goes out of its way to avoid even using the term “Christmas.” An observation of this present age cle...
Read More

Christmas Crises

For a number of people I know, this Christmas will be a difficult time, a minefield of memories where some sight, sound, or smell will explode in heart-gripping emotion. This year for the first time, children will be without parents, parents will be without children, and spouses will be alone. Wh...
Read More

Prepare Him Room

One of the great blessings of the Christmas season is the listening to and singing of carols and hymns that celebrate the birth of our Lord. Yesterday, at Faith Family Church, we started learning a new one by Sovereign Grace entitled “Prepare Him Room.” Part of the lyrics exhort: Oh, our heart...
Read More

The Basis of Christian Hope

As I read through the Bible each year, the plan I follow ends with the book of Job. At first glance, it’s not exactly reading that conforms to the spirit of yuletide. Yet, I found one chapter in particular to be highly relevant to the Christmas season. In chapter 19 in his answer to his friend, B...
Read More

The Shortest Christmas

As a kid I would take a week or two each Summer to spend with my grandparents in Salt Springs, Florida where they lived in a small home on Little Lake Kerr. How well I remember the day my grandpa asked if he’d ever told me the story of the shortest Christmas. “No sir,” I said. That was all it too...
Read More

The Man in the Story

If you’ve never seen The Nativity Story (2006), I recommend it because of the way it portrays Joseph’s importance to the story. In many popular Christmas narratives, Joseph is often overshadowed by Mary, shepherds, kings, and wise men; however, Joseph played a huge role in the unfolding of God’s ...
Read More

A Little Christmas Caution

Have you ever noticed the great irony of the Christmas holidays? What should be the most wonderful time of the year is often the most depressing, stressful time of the year. For millions of Americans, the yuletide is more misery than merriment. To help make sure that doesn’t happen to you this Ch...
Read More

Want a Merry Christmas? Avoid these pitfalls

Ironically, the Christmas season, that most wonderful time of the year, is for many the most depressing time of the year. Sadly, for them it’s a miserable, not a merry Christmas. While there may be myriad reasons for the melancholy, four stand out as the primary cause for the sadness of the seaso...
Read More