This Christmas season, we need nothing more than to see the meaning of the manger. It offers a sure and certain knowledge that he knows, that he cares, that he saves, and that he will be with us through to the very end, right on into eternity.

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.

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.

The real Christmas story has more grit and grime than we often realize.

On the first week of Advent, Barbara Reaoch gives us some diagnostic questions to discern our Christmas traditions.