Christmas and Advent Archives

What part did angels play in the Christmas story, and what message did they bring that first Christmas day?

What does the classic hymn mean when it says that Jesus Christ is the apple tree?

It was a census, decreed by Caesar Augusts, that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. This was foretold in the Old Testament,...

Are you facing difficult circumstances this Christmas season? You're not alone. Mary, Jesus' mother, faced an uncertain future, too.

As an adoptive parent my curiosity in the character of Joseph is great. Did he ever wonder? Did he ever feel inadequate? Did he ever gaze into the...

Yearly traditions bring continuity to a constantly changing world. Family traditions are the lighthouse beacon that welcomes ships passing in the...

Was the star of Bethlehem a supernova? Halley's comet? A conjunction of stars and planets? Or something far more miraculous? Let's take a look at...

'Tis the season when most Christians reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus. But we should always keep in mind that many Christmas...

A few small changes in the way that you operate your home these last few weeks of the year can make your home more welcoming for your teen; turning...

When we follow God’s leading throughout the Christmas season, we will find that choosing a pace to help our kids feel more comfortable will also...

Family—extended family, for sure—can be a complete disruption in our lives. Perhaps they even bring along with them an entirely different type of...

Are you dreading the upcoming holiday family gatherings? It can be tough to navigate different personalities and opinions. But instead of...

Here are some suggestions about how to best utilize the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Boxing Day connects to Christmas because it was the day of Christmas for many poor families. Most of them would receive a gift on the day after...

Each family has its own way of handling Christmas gifts, and I encourage you to stick with that method if it works for your family. But if you are...