My town of Mission has the delightful tradition of hosting a Christmas candlelight parade on the first Friday night of December. Our church often enters a float in the parade, and this year we did so with special enthusiasm. The … Read more

Have you ever read a story in a book that you never wanted to end? One time that happened to me. The story had me laughing, crying, amazed and intrigued as I turned the pages. At times, I imagined myself … Read more

At our Sunday fellowship hour, the millennium came up in conversation. One very devoted Christian lady, whom I love dearly, commented: "Maybe Jesus will return at the millennium." My eyebrows reached for the ceiling. "Well," I said, impetuous as usual, … Read more

As a part of our Thanksgiving celebration this year, my husband, John, and I looked back at the past year and gave thanks again for all the things for which we were thankful. This year we found much for which … Read more

Recently I have been working at a frantic pace to meet a deadline for a major project at my office. There was a great deal to be done, and a fixed amount of time to do it in. With help … Read more

I named my daughter Grace. It was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw her tiny, not yet fully formed face on the ultrasound monitor. It was truly an undeserved, unimaginable gift to be able to … Read more

Early last spring, for Easter, I went to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Now, more recently, while cleaning windows before Christmas, I reflected back to the day we went to Bethlehem. We went to the Church of the Nativity. I … Read more

Most churches and denominations have a program for teens and young people. In my case, it was the Presbyterian Young People's Society. It was a rite of passage for myself, and thousands more teens over the years. One year, when … Read more

At Christmas Eve services I usually have tears when I hear Silent Night being played, especially when it is presented in a candlelight service. These are tears of joy as they remind me of God's Son coming to earth for … Read more

At this time of the year when Christmas cards arrive daily, I am reminded of the many friends God has given me. I realize that if it weren't for His goodness, I wouldn't have any friends. I used to be … Read more

Recently I became a first-time grandmother. What a wonderful feeling! What anticipation! What a miracle! What wonderful news! Sierra Marie was born on September 16th, weighing 4 pounds 9 ounces, and six weeks premature. A preemie! So tiny, so precious! … Read more

A few short weeks ago, we were discussing "passion" in our Bible study group. The question was raised, "What is passion, anyway?" Is it an emotional high — the feeling you get when you meet that special someone, or the … Read more

During the Advent season, as we journey towards the manger, and as we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath, let us journey with love. We're getting closer, aren't we? Christmas is not far away now. If you have … Read more

Who among us can forget the magic and wonderment of putting on "The Christmas Play" that is brought to mind by today's scripture? As children, we anxiously anticipated the part for which we would be chosen. We'd been learning about … Read more

At our church, everyone knows that Advent has arrived when the mitten tree appears in the sanctuary. The mitten tree is a sapling cut from the back yard of a member of our congregation. Between the first Sunday of Advent … Read more

Every year there is this one day on which many of us go to church to celebrate the birth of a virgin's son's in a town in the middle of the boondocks. And then we come home and we open … Read more

A few years ago, a piece of plastic, approximately 7" long, 2" wide and 1/8" thick, was circulated and sold everywhere. This piece of plastic had a solid background, and the forefront had tiny lines in the middle, going upwards, … Read more

As I write, the new fall television schedule is just underway. People are talking about a new television show called Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Our family has enjoyed the programme for about one week. The concept behind the … Read more

One Sunday after church, when I was about four years old, my older brothers and sisters were "helping" me to assemble the family's cardboard manger scene. My mother, in the kitchen making lunch, suddenly heard a tremendous uproar, and came … Read more

During the Advent season, as we journey towards the manger and as we light the third candle on our Advent wreath, let us journey with joy. The third candle in the Advent wreath is often a different colour. On many … Read more

The title isn't misspelled, and though the scripture relating to Easter perhaps seems out of place, the truth is that Christmas, for some, is a time of sadness, of mourning. Everyone around them is bustling with the Christmas spirit, decorating … Read more

How does one go out to reach people in a modern city? The streets are so often unwelcoming. How? In the local mall, of course! We tried it one Christmas, and it was a wonderful experience. Our church organized a … Read more

A visit I'd made had been a little longer than planned. Even though it was just a late fall afternoon, it was the kind where drenching rain caused the darkness of the coming evening to close in early. I had … Read more

Waiting for something to be perfected is difficult at times. Adding that final brush stroke, that last piece of ribbon, the crowning flourish of artistry: why can't it be okay the way it is now — when I want it … Read more

The season of Advent has always been a favourite time for my family and me. I think we've always liked this time of year because it helps us to stop long enough to think about why we celebrate Christmas. If … Read more

During the Christmas season many years ago, the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) organization had a "Tie One On" campaign whereby we could purchase a red ribbon with MADD in black letters, to tie on our car aerials to signify … Read more

During the Advent season, as we journey towards the manger, and as we light the second candle on our Advent wreath, let us journey with peace. What are the things that give us a sense of peace in our lives? … Read more

I have to put up a Christmas tree. Not for the commercial reasons that you think, but for what I see when I look at it. You see, to me the tree represents Christ. We choose a tree because Christ … Read more

Each spring and fall, I help teach the Scoutmaster's Fundamentals course in our local Scout District. The course involves a Saturday indoor session and a weekend campout. A fair amount of effort is required before the actual sessions to make … Read more

In the summer of 1998 I had the opportunity to spend a week in Oxford, England, on business, and decided to take a short holiday there as well. One morning I awoke to find the view out my bedroom window … Read more

At this time last year, people were asking each other what they were doing for Christmas — had they any plans, were they going away, were they having company, would their families be together? Sure, some of those people were … Read more