Christmas is more than family

Christmas is overwhelmingly seen, at least where I am, as a time to gather with your immediate and extended family. And while this is a worthy purpose for a holiday that almost everyone observes, it tends to obscure its greater, profound, and universal purpose: salvation for all who will, healing, mercy, love from God for … Continue reading Christmas is more than family

Christmas in summer

There’s a lady in our ward at church whose family moved here from the United States a few months ago, I think due to her husband’s work. For her, Christmas this year is feeling very strange, because she is used to it being in the middle of a snowy, cold winter, with evergreen trees and … Continue reading Christmas in summer

What are we here for?

I recently watched an excellent Chinese TV fantasy drama called Love Between Fairy and Devil, or Cang Lan Jue (‘Separation of Cang and Orchid’). If you haven’t heard of it – it’s hugely popular in China and very popular overseas, airing back in August – it’s a truly beautiful, wonderfully-produced show with a great story, … Continue reading What are we here for?

Waiting on the Lord

One of my favourite episodes in the New Testament is when Peter and John come upon a lame beggar who’s been sitting at the gate of the temple (called Beautiful – such a name!) daily for many years, begging from those who entered. The lame beggar was over 40 years old and had spent his … Continue reading Waiting on the Lord