GEERTGEN tot Sint Jans, Nativity, at Night, 1484-90 John 14:8-11 “8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How […]
FERRARI, Defendente, Nativity in Nocturnal Light, 1510 1 Peter 3:18 “18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” Peter said these words. And He knew all too well how a […]
BALDUNG GRIEN, Hans, Nativity, 1520 1 John 1:1-3 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it […]
BOTTICELLI, Sandro, The Mystical Nativity, c. 1500 Hebrews 2:14-18 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death […]
Correggio, Nativity (Holy Night), 1528-30 Galations 4:4-5 “4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Aren’t you glad that “the fullness of time” had come […]
ALTDORFER, Albrecht,Nativity, c. 1513 John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 1 Timothy 3:16 “16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, […]
I’d love to get past the bows and baking and get to the real heart of it this time. I want that same feeling I had as a kid about the magic of Christmas to be translated into my adult life over the awe of Christ coming in the flesh. Some years it happens…some it […]
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Psalm 27:14). It is a paradox isn't it? Christianity and so many truths within it. A king comes to serve. You are wise if you follow this paradoxical king...even if others aren't doing the same. He sometimes calls you to unique […]
"I've sinned too much today." "I don't know if God will answer my prayer since I've been struggling with a sin this week." "I wish I could get this Christian walk thing down...then I'd have a good relationship with God." Are you ever haunted by these thoughts? I write them because they have haunted me. […]
Dear friend...do you need rest this weekend? I am thinking over this quote today. Would you join me? "Remember, therefore, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you - it is Christ. It is not your joy in Christ that saves you - it is Christ. It is not even your faith in […]
Advent Joy isn’t shallow or sentimental—it is rooted in the appearing of Christ. When Scripture speaks of Christ being manifested, it means that God has made Himself clearly seen, known, and encountered in order to save. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…” — Titus 2:11, ESV The Child in the manger is the […]
Where do you long for Christ’s Peace to enter your story this week? Or have you given up hope for that? Perhaps it would be good for you and me to remember Jesus' words about the kind of peace He gives. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the […]