Hark! Skipping Christmas Carol Verses Discouraged
NASHVILLE (BP) -- As worship pastor Andrew Lucius selects songs for Christmas worship, he is considering specific needs in the Georgia congregation he serves. Among his conclusions: singing only the
Blessings from Unlikely Places
My favorite Christmas movie is "A Christmas Story," which tells the story of Ralphie Parker, a nine-year-old boy and his desire to receive an official Red Ryder carbine action, two-hundred shot
Registering Dissent
“Everyone went to their own town to register” (Luke 2:3).
The familiar Christmas story starts with a governmental registry. Tracking — and taxing — populations helped Rome
Christmas memories
“Memories, Christmas memories,” Frank Sinatra’s baritone voice declared. “They’re the sweetest ones I know.”
For former missionaries now back in the United States, those memories often include Christmases
It’s Christmas everywhere
As missionaries adjust to life in a new country, many challenges emerge: building relationships, perhaps learning a new language and learning cultural traditions. Even Christmas can bring
(Extra) Ordinary
An advent reflection by Blake McKinney, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Lee's Summit, Mo.
Ordinary couple. Young people. Nearly married. Expectant parents. Gentle Mary. Pregnant virgin. Pregnant virgin!? Round
Live the Christmas story all year
Just a child, Tony's "giving" in the small church's Christmas pageant taught adults that their willingness to "live the story" throughout the year really does make a difference in someone's life.
Americans generally merry about Christmas music
According to a recent study by LifeWay Research, 70 percent of Americans enjoy hearing Christmas songs in December, but one in five Americans (21 percent) said it is is “overdone,” while seven percent find it “annoying.”
Dark Christmas legend regaining popularity in Austria
According to legend, St. Nicholas travels throughout Europe each year on Dec. 6, bringing good children candy and other treats. But first the naughty children must be punished. This is the job of Krampus — the hell-bound companion of St. Nicholas. It's
Merry Thanksgiving or Happy Christmas!
Christmas arrived on Thanksgiving for sure this year. Oh, it might have seemed like it in previous years. After all, about the same time the turkey goes into the oven in the wee hours of Thanksgiving each year, someone needs to run