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

The balm of love we give our children each night as we sit with them on their beds is only a dim reflection of God’s love for his redeemed.

In surprising and wonderful and unexpected ways, God pursues his people for their good.

The Christmas story is a creation story. Except this time, instead of hovering over the chaos and darkness of the void, the Creator stepped right into it.

In this excerpt from the recently released In Good Time, author Jen Pollock Michel reminds readers that our patient God gently leads his people.

We should never allow ourselves to become too disconnected, too protected from the needs of a broken, dying world crying out for a Savior.

Sometimes news is more than just news. Sometimes news is the message of total destruction. Sometimes news is the story of our undoing. Sometimes news is the story of our redoing. The breaking news of that first Christmas Day was both.

My husband reached over and held my hand. “We can go home. It’s up to you.” My heart raced in my chest as I looked up at the people pooling in through the open glass doors of our church. In that moment, my theology warred against my angst: My love for the local church versus my social anxiety.

Each month, Benjamin Vrbicek, the GCD managing editor, offers coaching to writers. This month: “Good writing answers questions.”

Though Christmas is not about you, Christmas is undoubtedly for you.

Tim Shorey, one of our staff writers, is journaling through his struggle with stage 4 cancer. In this entry he reflects on the sadness he feels as he knows he’ll only live for maybe three more Christmases.

In this excerpt from the recently released Hope and Holiness, author John Fonville reminds readers that only the gospel is strong enough to both save Christians and keep Christians.