How to Be a Martha

For those of us who are the Type A-git-er-done women, the passage comparing Martha and Mary can be a problem. In the book of Luke, Jesus is visiting in Martha’s home. That description itself is a clue for what is to come. This was Martha’s home. She wasn’t living in...

Unique Women of Christmas

In Hebrew, her name “Elisheva” means God’s oath or God’s promise. In the Greek, “Elizabeth” is further described as God’s abundance. Cousin to Mary and wife to Zacharias, she played a pivotal role in the pre-Christmas story. Elizabeth is listed in Luke chapter 1 as a...

Finding Christmas Joy Throughout the Year

Anyone who follows me on FaceBook knows I love Christmas. Starting in January, I begin the holiday countdown. On the 25th of the month I proudly proclaim how many more months we have until Christmas. Those who share my joy quickly “like” the posts; others are tempted...

The Reason for Christmas

“Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his...

Afraid but Available

It’s Part 1 of the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. This teenaged girl from Nazareth was “greatly troubled.” The angel said, “Do not be afraid.” He then told her that even though she was a virgin, she would bear God’s son. A pregnancy miracle by...