Merry Christmas! After today, The Up Devotional is going on pause until January 3rd, but I just wanted to send you one last message on Christmas morning. Christ is born! Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah—God’s chosen king and representative on the earth. But something his followers came to learn was that Jesus was more than … Continue reading With God all things are possible
Month: December 2023
Fear: a doorway, not a disaster
Have you ever noticed how much angels tell people to not be afraid? When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God…” (Luke 1:30) When the angel appeared to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, he said: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good … Continue reading Fear: a doorway, not a disaster
Through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit
Caroling. It’s one of those things that just might be fading away. I hope not. But it may be. I wonder why. Perhaps as towns turn into cities fewer people know their neighbours and therefore feel uncomfortable singing to them. Perhaps it's because as a society we tend to do less singing in general. Perhaps … Continue reading Through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit
I am only the workshop in which God operates
I’ve been reflecting a lot about Mary. A messenger from God named Gabriel came to her. “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28, ESV). He went on to tell her that she would miraculously give birth to the Messiah. Here is her response: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; … Continue reading I am only the workshop in which God operates
Knowing God, not knowing everything
What does Mary teach us about having faith today, especially when the future is uncertain. In short, a lot. Just imagine her situation. She was a young Jewish woman. She may have been as young as 14, 15 or 16 when she gave birth to Jesus. She would have grown up learning the Scriptures, reciting … Continue reading Knowing God, not knowing everything
It’s the most wonderful (or stressful?) time of the year
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s a popular song by Andy Williams. I’ve already heard it on the radio, on TV, and in the mall about a zillion times. But let’s be honest. For a lot of people it is anything but. December brings about as much stress as it does candy … Continue reading It’s the most wonderful (or stressful?) time of the year
The generosity of Saint Nicholas
When most people think about Christmas they also think about Santa Claus, the jolly red-suited man who magically brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. But where did he come from? Has he always been associated with Christmas? And is it true that he is based on a man named Saint Nicholas? In regards to … Continue reading The generosity of Saint Nicholas
It’s (b)right around the corner
In his autobiography, Arthur Miller reflects on his relationship with Marilyn Monroe. He talks about their loss of faith and descent into despair. “How I wish I still had my religion and she hers.”* As followers of Christ, we have many reasons to hope. But if we don’t consciously and consistently reflect on those reasons, … Continue reading It’s (b)right around the corner
The way to avoid hitting a wall hard
In 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV) Paul wrote: “do not grow weary in doing good.” Some of the people in that church were lazy. “Idleness” was a problem. But others were doing good things. They were serving, evangelizing, and being useful. Those were the people Paul was talking to. Note the word ‘weary.’ He affirmed them … Continue reading The way to avoid hitting a wall hard
This is how we know that we love the children of God
The apostle John wrote: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20). As we can see, loving other people in the church is clearly important. … Continue reading This is how we know that we love the children of God
