In this excerpt from Jared Kennedy’s new young adult book, The Story of Martin Luther, Kennedy traces what Luther’s pivotal theology that sparked the Protestant Reformation.

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.

God created you to be happy, commands that you be happy, and stands ready to fill you with deep, abiding happiness. Yet happiness is not an automatic reality, even for believers. God’s path to happiness requires that we walk it out.

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.

Tim Shorey, one of our staff writers, is journaling through his struggle with stage 4 cancer. In this entry, he reminds readers that we all walk the road of suffering to the Heavenly City.  

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.

Reading the Word of God is to be surrounded by a matchless view. It is to be transported by tram to the mountainous movements of God in this world that call us back to himself so that we can live in his presence and promote his glory in all the earth forever.