Category Archives: Advent
THE BIG CHRISTMAS BOX
A wonderful memory from my childhood Christmases was the huge box that would arrive from my grandparents at that time of the year. I knew there would be something in that package just for me. I could hardly stand the anticipation. Each year … Continue reading
BAH, HUMBUG
I can sympathize with this poor cat. Especially this year. We go through all the motions of dressing our houses with lights and decorations. We shop (this year online) until we drop. We plan limited gatherings with no more than … Continue reading
IS THERE ROOM FOR ME?
A frail man, not more than thirty, huddles in the corner of a dank freight car to keep himself warm. He nibbles on the remnants of a discarded sandwich from the trash at the local burger shop. To him, it’s a Christmas … Continue reading
BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
When they arrived at the city of Bethlehem, it was time for the baby to be born. Anyone who has given birth knows that a baby usually arrives when it’s ready, not when we are. There wasn’t any place to … Continue reading
THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM
Bethlehem wasn’t a big town, but it was bursting at the seams when people entered from all over the country to be counted for the census. Imagine a little farm community with a small town for people to gather and … Continue reading
HEY, ANGEL OF THE LORD
If you’ve ever read, “The Best Christmas Pageant, Ever!” by Barbara Robinson, you’ll remember how the nativity was portrayed by the five Herdman children – the worst kids in town. The only reason they came to Sunday School was for the … Continue reading
WALKING IN THE LIGHT
The above painting is not one of Paul’s. I found it on the Internet, but it beautifully expresses how Jesus invites us to walk with Him in the light. He is the light of the world. There is no way … Continue reading
OUR CHRISTMAS CARD TO YOU
A light dusting of powdered sugar snow glistens in the light coming from an old country church. The streets are empty now after the hustle and bustle within this tiny town. On this holy of holiest nights, people find their way into … Continue reading
THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE
I discovered a sweet Christmas movie last week which was released in 2013. Since it’s a Max Lucado production, I thought it worth the watch. This lovely tale of Christmas tradition, superstition, Advent and light intermingled with the struggles of … Continue reading
OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!
Poor Charlie Brown. His search for the perfect Christmas tree often left a lot to be desired, but his spirit for the season never waivered. When I think about my own childhood, I recall always waiting until the last minute … Continue reading
YOUNG AND RESTLESS SHEPHERDS
I believe the picture says it all. These young shepherds show how antsy little boys get when they have to wait. The story of the shepherds that were in their fields at the time of the Savior’s birth had heard … Continue reading
LITTLE TREASURES
When we moved into our new “old” house four years ago, these little treasures went undiscovered for two Christmases. Paul had meticulously carved chunks of wood into these special Santas and I have enjoyed displaying them over the years. We … Continue reading
SPIRITS OF CHRISTMAS – PART ONE
It seems that some of the world’s greatest literature includes a ghost or two. In Shakespeare’s work, the protagonist is often confronted with ghosts. Spirits are sometime seen as evil or forces from the devil. Some might be portenders of future events. … Continue reading
ARE WE EVER READY?
We’re living in terrifying times. Fear grasps our throats and we choke on it. We’re slowly and cleverly being devoured by evil. It’s a problem old as time. In my lifetime alone, I’ve experienced the fear of invasion from foreign … Continue reading
I MISS THE FELLOWSHIP
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 It’s Sunday. We will again tune into our church’s electronic service and worship our God. … Continue reading
MARY’S FAITH
I don’t know about you, but to have the faith that Mary exhibited when she was told she would be impregnated with God’s own Son, is more than a little hard to imagine. The news itself was impossible from a … Continue reading
ANCESTRY, GENEALOGY, FAMILY HISTORY, OH MY!
There is a huge trend in finding out who we are and where we came from. Tracing the family tree has opened up a whole new industry. Family searches are made much easier than they used to be, when you … Continue reading
THE WONDER OF THE SEASON
This is the beginning of the holiday season. On December 10, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah will start. The Christian season of Advent begins today. Both of these seasons involve light. The Menorah is lit, the Christmas lights decorate our … Continue reading
WOULDN’T IT BE NICE?
ART & INSPIRATION FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER© Wouldn’t it be nice if we could simply erase the events of the past? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Mondays indicated a new start – a fresh beginning? If all the world could … Continue reading
PONDER THEM IN YOUR HEART
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” When I was little I thought the word ponder meant to pound. In a child’s mind it made perfect sense for Mary to treasure the things that were … Continue reading
