Each year, this day marks our Savior’s birth as a human child revered by kings and shepherds. This day ushers divine imagination into our reality.

Being honest, in light of all this, sometimes I struggle to believe that God sees and cares. But then Christmas gives me hope that he does see and care; and that he loves me after all.

Through tinsel-coated commercials and gripping seasonal stories, the world’s message is clear: the true magic of Christmas is held by children. But is it true?

At its core Advent is more than just remembering the coming of God into our existence, Advent is about the actual presence of God in our existence. It’s the one season that reminds us that God is with us.

Christ entered a dark world. Not the inner-city darkness that fills a room with faint beams of streetlights and occasional headlights flashing as vehicles pass. He entered darkness that you can feel.

Sometimes when we choose servitude under the submission of God, we will have to be emptied out for his sake in ways we wouldn’t dream of. But it is always a blessing to be emptied of ourselves and filled up with Christ.

The book of Ruth may not be the first place you’d look for a Christmas story. Yet, Naomi’s story of loss, pain, and restoration offers hope to our weary hearts this season—all through the birth of a baby boy.

As a reaction to traditions that elevate Mary too highly, many Protestants don’t think enough about how wonderful Mary was. When my premature newborn struggled to live, I thought about Mary often. I still do.

For all the fun that the holiday season can bring, it can also overwhelm you. Here are some ways I’m trying to honor God and love others—without getting overwhelmed.

The lavish preparations and gift-giving at Christmas time say something beautiful about the lavish grace of God in Christ.

Through a car crash that was my fault, God taught me about his love.

The death of death began when the Lord of Life was born.