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A compelling devotional by Day1 host Peter Wallace, designed to help people of all ages connect meaningfully with God as revealed in the Psalms.

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Topic Features About Christmas

The Rev. David Lewicki

Joy Comes in the Evening

Luke 2:22-40

1st Sunday after Christmas - Year B

January 01, 2012

The Rev. David Lewicki (PCUSA)

Last year was the first Christmas that the bulk of a congregation's pastoral care needs fell on my shoulders.  I was warned by other pastors to prepare myself--the need for my presence would mysteriously increase right around the holiday.  I would get "the calls."  And sure enough, beginning two days before Christmas, two broken hips, a nursing home-related family crisis, an accelerated kidney failure.  Those were just the physical emergencies.  For reasons that remain a mystery, Christmastide is a time when, deep within our subconscious--at the place where the body and the spirit intertwine--people prepare to die.

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The Rev. J. Philip Newell

Look to the Child

Luke 2:1-14

Christmas Day - Year B

December 25, 2011

The Rev. John Philip Newell (other)

The great army of light sings, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace."  Do we believe this heavenly pronouncement? Do we really hope for peace on earth, peace in our lives and families, peace among us as religions and nations?

Last year in an interview the Dalai Lama was asked if he had hope for the future. He laughed and said, 'Of course I have hope. The future has not yet been decided.' Do we believe this? Or do we live as if we believe there is no hope, as if the future has already been determined, as if the fragmentations and divisions of our lives and world are permanent.

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Other Recent Content About Christmas

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Carter Transcript

December 18, 2011

Call and Response

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Carter (UMC)

On this final Sunday in Advent, the Rev. Dr. Ken Carter examines the important role that Mary, the mother of Jesus, plays in the story of our faith, and encourages us to listen for God's call to do extraordinary things.
The Rev. John Gunn

Deliverer From Sin

The Rev. John Gunn (other)

In speaking of the story of Mary and Joseph bringing the Jesus into the temple, The Rev. Gunn states, "This is the real story of Christmas; this is the reason we celebrate the day and rejoice all the year. This babe is indeed our deliverer from sin and the fear of death. In Him is God's light filling all of our lives in this day and in the coming year."

The Rev. John Gunn

Christian Light

The Rev. John Gunn (other)

In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. Gunn states, "The lights of the Christmas candles and the lights of the Christmas tree are gone now, but the great light, the light of the world remains. And will remain with us throughout the year, for Jesus said, 'I have come into the world as light so that no one who has faith in me should remain in darkness.'"

The Rev. John Gunn

Christmas Spirit All Year

The Rev. John Gunn (other)

In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. Gunn states, "The Christmas light is the true spirit of Christmas - the remembrance that Christ came into the world on this day for us and for all men. We need this idea in our hearts throughout the year; not just once a year on Christmas Day."

The Rev. Dr. James Lamkin Transcript

December 26, 2010

The New Normal

The Rev. Dr. James Lamkin (CBF)

As the church celebrates Christmas, the Rev. Dr. James Lamkin focuses on the horrifying events following Christ's birth, as the Holy Family learns to deal with their "new normal."
The Rev. William McCord Thigpen III Transcript

December 27, 2009

Christmastide: A Reminder Where Our Hearts Belong

The Rev. William McCord Thigpen, III (TEC)

The Rev. Wm McCord Thigpen looks at the Christmas story from the unique perspective of John chapter 1, and encourages us to follow Jesus' example of shining light in the darkness.
The Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Jr. Transcript

December 28, 2008

A Sight for Certain Eyes

The Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Jr. (UCC)

The Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Jr., is pastor of Covenant United Church of Christ, South Holland, IL.

The Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston Transcript

December 24, 2006

Luminarias

The Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston (PCUSA)

The Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston beckons us to feel the presence of Christ and to see His light amidst the darkness.