Lots of 2011 “best of” or “top ten” lists are coming out these days; it’s kind of a year-end tradition in the Internet age. I’ve already posted my top books of the year, but I thought it would be helpful or at least interesting to list some of these other lists--a top ten of top tens, if you will.

The lists I mention below come from a Christian perspective when possible and fall into three major categories: books, news stories, and tech. I’ve grouped them by category, but otherwise in no particular order.

Books

1. 2012 Christianity Today Book Awards - Don’t be deceived by the title: this is, in fact, a list about the best books published in 2011. Out of the 390 titles that were submitted to them, CT’s judges chose what they think is the best book in each of ten categories. (They end up with two ties and eleven honorable mentions, but I’m still counting it as a top ten).
2. The Gospel Coalition’s 2011 Staff Recommendations - Collin Hansen, Kathleen Nielson, John Starke, and Andy Naselli each give you their three favorite titles from 2011. They also give you a mini-review of each book or at least explain why it made their list.

News Stories

3. Albert Mohler’s Ten Leading News Stories of 2011 - Mohler compiles and recaps, in no particular order, the year’s biggest news stories as he sees them.
4. Christianity Today’s Top 10 News Stories of 2011 - This list is specific to the Christian world. It’s brief and quick to read, but includes plenty of links for more information.
5. Collin Hansen’s Top 10 Theology Stories of 2011 - Hansen’s list, like CT’s, sticks with stories that pertain to the church or are from the church’s perspective. He offers something unique and helpful, though, in the way he looks at the theology that relates to each of these stories. He includes lots of links to his and others’ related material.
6. Brainstorm’s Top Ten Religion and Politics Stories of 2011 - This list is a look back that tries to look forward. The author asks, “What were the biggest American politics and religion stories of 2011 and how might they play out in the presidential campaign of 2012?”
7. Associated Press Top Stories of 2011 - Every year Associated Press polls their editors to find their top news stories of the year. Their picks range from the death of Bin Laden to the beginning of the Occupy movement.

Tech

8. Technolog’s Top 10 tech stories of 2011 - Technolog highlights and gives a good summary of the 10 technological happenings that affected the world this year. Lots of links for further reading.
9. Washington Post’s Top tech stories of 2011 - This list is similar to Technolog’s but covers 30 rather than 10 stories (I know, I know--this is supposed to be a top ten of top tens). The summaries are concise, though, and presented in a slideshow format, which makes them a good way to just give them all a skim.
10. Google’s Zeitgeist 2011 and Yahoo’s Top 10 Searches in 2011 - OK, so I’m really squeezing two into one here. Both of these are lists of the top ten terms searched on their respective search engine, so it seemed doable. On both sites they give more of the story behind each of the terms, as well as other “year in review” content.

2011 was a great year for books. While I did not read as many books in 2011 as I have in previous years, I still read quite a few. Today I want to share some of my top picks from the year that was. Let me offer the usual caveats that these are almost certainly not the 10 best books of 2010 in any objective sense--but they are my favorites. Also, these are not necessarily books written in 2011, but books I read in 2011.

Here they are, in no particular order (except for the final one which is my top pick for 2011):

A Meal With Jesus by Tim Chester - This book shares a compact biblical theology of hospitality, focusing on meals. Chester makes the compelling argument that we would do well to view our meals through a biblical lens and to see each one as an opportunity to discover grace, community and mission. Since most of us eat 3 meals per day, we have endless opportunities to put into practice what we discover. This is a book that celebrates something many of us consider mundane and unremarkable, and I always find myself drawn to books that sanctify the ordinary. [my review]

Going Public by David & Kelli Pritchard - As a dad who has chosen to place his children in public schools, I have found very few resources to help me as I seek to lead them well. This book was just what I needed. The most valuable lesson of all, at least in my view, is that public schooling is a family affair. The decision to place children in the public education system is a decision to have the whole family involved in this system. They say, "We should not think in terms of sending our child off by himself to 'the mission field.' We go there together. This is a family expedition. When we show up each August to enroll our kids for another school year, we are enrolling our family into the life of this institution. This is a joint venture." This means that mom and dad are involved not just with the children, but with the school and teachers and leaders. This book has been an invaluable help to my family as we seek to public school to the glory of God. [my review]

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson - This is one of the bestselling books of 2011 and for good reason—it’s a well-written biography of a fascinatingly odious individual. Jobs is one of those people who is admired just as much as he is reviled, and both are well-earned. Jobs was a very complex individual and Isaacson has succeeded in creating a fascinating character study. He doesn’t shy away from what made Jobs so hated. Yet the strange paradox is that even though he was so hated by many of those who were closest to him, it seems that history will remember him as a hero. [my review]

John MacArthur by Iain Murray - I am accustomed to waiting many years after the death of one of my heroes to read an account of his life. It was a real joy to be able to read of the life of John MacArthur while he is still here and still ministering to us. It was with some trepidation that Murray prepared this biography but in doing so he has done a service to the church. The book moved me to praise and gratitude--gratitude to God for blessing the church with this man whose ministry has so powerfully impacted not only the thousands who call him pastor, but the millions who have encountered him largely or exclusively through his books, his sermons or his radio program. Murray makes it clear that all that MacArthur is, all that he has accomplished, is due to the One he serves. [my review]

Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore - This book taught me that Russell Moore can flat out write. What Moore seeks to do in this book is demonstrate how the ways in which Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness reveal strategies he will use to tempt all of us. He applies these lessons to contemporary situations, showing that Satan's designs have not changed much and, in fact, have not had to change much. He and his minions have made a long and thorough study of human nature and are well-versed in our weaknesses. And so they continue to attack through temptation. This book arms the Christian to identify and overcome that temptation. I enjoyed it every page of it. [my review]

Written in Tears by Luke Veldt - Several years ago Luke Veldt suffered the unexpected and devastating loss of his thirteen-year-old daughter. After Allison's death, Veldt turned to Psalm 103 and he read it again and again. He read it every day for more than a year, and through that psalm he experienced God's presence. This book, a short but powerful little volume, shares many of the lessons the Lord taught him through his grief. It makes for valuable reading for those who have suffered loss or those who are seeking to help others who have experienced loss. It’s profoundly moving and deeply biblical. [my review]

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller - I have not yet reviewed this book. You will need to check in next week to read a full review, but for now, suffice it to say that this is my favorite book of 2011. It was the last one I read and without much doubt, the best of the best. The book is drenched in the gospel and it powerfully elevates marriage to something sacred and holy and beautiful. Of all the books I’ve read on marriage and of all the books I read in 2011, this is the best!

Last week I asked if you are interested in taking The 3650 Challenge with me—to read or listen to 3,650 chapters of the Bible in 2012. A lot of you said that you are interested, so today I want to launch this plan in earnest.

Through 2012 I plan to use Professor Horner’s Bible Reading System to read the Bible. This system calls for 10 chapters per day, with each chapter being drawn from a different part of the Bible. This means that over the course of 2012 anyone who uses the plan will go through all the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul's letters 4-5 times each, the Old Testament wisdom literature six times, all the Psalms at least twice, all the Proverbs as well as Acts a dozen times, and all the way through the Old Testament History and Prophetic books about 1.5 times. That is drinking from the fire hose!

I’d like you to do all of this with me. It is going to be a true challenge, but a very worthwhile one. As I asked last time, don’t you think your life would change if you were to read 3,650 chapters of the Bible? Between now and December 31 I’ll give some pointers and provide a list of resources you may find helpful. But for now, let’s work on some coordination.

I think the easiest way to coordinate the group will be through a Facebook Group. I have one ready to go right here: The 3650 Challenge. Simply click on that link and join the group. That will make you aware of updates and give us a place to discuss how we are doing. We will actually begin together on January 1. If you are not on Facebook, stay tuned to the blog and I’ll do occasional updates here as well. 

If you are already doing the plan and do not want to start over on January 1, no problem. Join up with us anyway.

It has been just over a year now since Cruciform Press released its first book—my very own Sexual Detox. I can’t deny that I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished since then. We have now published 14 great books (1 a month) and have many more in the works. We wanted to thank you, the people who have supported this new company, by offering many of our books at a special discount until December 20. Here is where you can find them on Amazon in Kindle format:

• Sexual Detox by Tim Challies - $0.99
• Awaiting a Savior by Aaron Armstrong - $2.99
• Grieving, Hope and Solace by Albert Martin - $2.99
• Smooth Stones by Joe Coffey - $2.99
• But God… by Casey Lute - $2.99
• The Organized Heart by Staci Eastin - $2.99
• Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson - $2.99

(If you are looking for PDF or ePub format, click here)

I have never been much of a fan of audio books. For many years I worked from home and found that it was far easier to read than to listen. However, since I became a pastor I have spent endless hours commuting and have looked for ways to redeem that time. I use it to listen to the Bible and to pray, but even that does not consume all the time I spend parked on Toronto-area highways. I have been rather surprised to find how much I enjoy listening to audio books. Let me give you a couple of great options in case you’ve been considering getting into audio books as well (digital, downloadable audio books, that is).

Audible

I recently subscribed to Audible. I am always suspicious of special offers so almost never sign up for them. However, this one time I actually clicked a banner (like the one here), signed up, and accepted the free offer. I knew I could download a book and still cancel my membership in the first 14 days without being charged anything. The fact that Audible is owned by Amazon gave me the confidence that the offer was legit. I downloaded the book In the Plex by Steven Levy. I was fully prepared to cancel my membership, but found myself enjoying the book enough that I left the membership in place; it’s definitely worth paying for. They’ve got 100,000 titles available spanning every category (and including most of the latest and greatest bestsellers). Their iPhone app is really useful and intuitive; I assume the apps for Android and Blackberry are equally useful.

Audible’s pricing structure is a little bit obscure, but typical for audiobook stores. If you sign up for the gold plan you pay $14.95 per month and receive 1 credit per month. Almost every book in their catalog costs a credit, which means you essentially receive one audio book per month. The exceptions tend to be the very long books which may cost 2 credits. You can also pay for the books on a one-off basis if you run out of credits; you will receive the books at a discounted rate from the list price. Their platinum plan gets you 2 credits per month for $22.95.

ChristianAudio

ChristianAudio is pretty much the Christian equivalent to Audible. Their catalog is, by design, more narrow in scope, but they have still put together a great collection of books. They offer a similar structure to Audible: You can purchase books as one-offs or you can purchase a subscription. Their plans cost $14.95 and $24.95 for 4-credit and 8-credit plans; most of their new and full-length books tend to cost 4 credits, so it is roughly equivalent to Audible.

Be sure to keep an eye on ChristianAudio’s monthly free book; that is a way to begin building a collection and to get a feel for their service.

Speaking personally, I now subscribe to Audible but keep a close eye on ChristianAudio and download books there as it makes sense to do so. They have twice-yearly sales in which the books are reduced to $7.49 or 2 credits each and that is always a great time to stock up.

Last year I put together a list of unique Christmas gift ideas. This year I wanted to reprise that post while adding and taking away a couple of items. Here are 9 unique gifts you might offer someone for Christmas this year—things that may not be on your radar but would still make a good and thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Tabletalk - Ligonier Ministries’ Tabletalk magazine makes a great gift. Every month it features articles by well-known authors, daily Bible studies, a Bible reading guide, and more. It costs $23 within the US, $37 internationally.

Reformation Art - How about some art work for the church history enthusiast in your life? Reformation Art reproduces fine art photographic prints of the key figures and events of the Protestant Reformation, and the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition. They have all kinds of great prints available, all of which are produced in high quality and suitable for framing.

Historic Bibles - Or how about historic Bibles? A whole Bible would be out of reach for most of us, but a single page can be framed and make a nice gift. Historic Bibles offers Bible leaves and illuminated manuscripts in English, Latin, Greek, and German. Prices begin at $39. You can visit Geneva Bible Pages to buy leaves from just the Geneva Bible.

Spurgeon Pages - Sticking to a theme here, how about pages from an original sermon manuscript from C.H. Spurgeon? With your order you get one sermon manuscript page amended by Spurgeon, one Certificate of Validation and Authenticity from Spurgeon's College, one printed page with sermon title, text, portion of sermon printed out and one picture of Spurgeon that is suitable for framing.

Visual Verses - I saw Visual Verses at the True Woman conference in Texas a couple of months ago. I’m not convinced that the pictures on the web site really do them justice. Essentially they are passages of Scripture written out but with certain words highlighted or darkened in order to create a picture. Personally I think they are really funky and certainly they are unique!

Kindle - OK, so it may not be that unique since it’s the most-gifted item at Amazon, but it’s certain a gift that most people will love. And it sure seems that e-readers have hit that tipping point. They are here to stay; prices are falling, just about every book is now available in ebook format. The Kindle is now available for just $89.

Microfinance - For the person who would rather give than get, you might consider a microfinancing gift certificate—a way that your loved one can help sponsor a business in a developing country. Kiva and Razoo both offer you this ability. “Make this a Merry Christmas for your loved ones with a gift that lets them change the world. A Micro Loan Gift Card lets your family and friends choose a hard-working entrepreneur to help by funding their small business loan-to buy a sewing machine, a bicycle, training, or whatever will put their families on the pathway to success.”

Swag - Stores like Ugmonk and Missional Wear offer some really neat products.

Cruciform Press Subscription - One of the unique things we offer at Cruciform Press (the publishing company I’ve co-founded) is subscriptions. Because our books are all one price and come out on a regular schedule, we can offer subscriptions to print books or e-books and we offer them at great prices. Just like subscribing to a magazine, you’ll receive a new book each month in either printed or e-book format.

And now it’s your turn. Got any other suggestions?

It’s December 1 today, and that means that I’ve got a desktop wallpaper for you to download. For the next few months at least I’ve decided to change things up a bit. Instead of putting out a public call for wallpapers, I am asking just one designer to create a fantastic design. 

A few notes: 320 x 480 is for your iPhone; 1024 x 1024 is for your iPad; your desktop or laptop may take any of the other sizes depending on your monitor size and a host of other considerations. If you’re not sure of the size, just find one that looks like it would be pretty much the same size as your screen. Generally you set one of these are your wallpaper by clicking on the link to the image, then right-clicking on the image (once it’s open) and selecting “Set as Background,” “Set as Desktop Background,” or something similar. If you aren’t sure, post a comment and we’ll try to help you figure it out.

What God Has Done

Created by Eric Novak from Chicago, IL. He says, “The Wexford Carol, Carl Loch Garman, is an Irish Christmas carol from the early 12th century. One of the oldest songs in European tradition, it originated in Wexford County and was typically only sung by men. The full song has strong ties to Catholicism, however, it’s message, a reminder of God’s amazing love and divine plan, still rings true.”

• with calendar: 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

• without calendar: 320x480, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

Cyber Monday is a new tradition—the day that online retailers offer deals to match or surpass the deals offered by retailers on Black Friday. I have been keeping tabs on various online stores and ministries looking for deals that will be of particular interest to Christians.

Here are some excellent Cyber Monday deals:

Amazon

Amazon always has great Black Friday deals. You pretty much need to visit the site to see them all. Start here, then go here. (Also, Mark Driscoll book’s Doctrine is on sale in Kindle format for $3.99)

Banner of Truth

Banner of Truth has some fantastic deals on sets and some individual titles. For example, you can get John Owen’s collected works (16 volumes) for $198, the two-volume biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (written by Iain Murray) for $39 or Dallimore’s two-volume life of George Whitefield for $40. The complete Puritan paperback series (45 volumes) can be had for $235. And so on. There is lots more. If you’re having trouble spotting the deals, click on the “Book Catalogue” button at the top of the page and then look to the sidebar.

Centricity

Centricity Music is offering all of their albums at $4 for downloads or $5 for CDs for the whole weekend. Artists include Andrew Peterson, Downhere, Matt Papa, Me in Motion, and others.

Christian Audio

Christian Audio is offering hourly deals on audio books. Your best bet is to track them on Twitter throughout the day.

Crossway

Crossway has a long list of deals today only. They include Bibles, reference works and books.

Cruciform Press

Cruciform Press is offering bundle deals. You can buy bundles of ebooks at $25 for 7 books (there are 2 bundles, each with 7 different books). If you prefer printed books, you can get subscriber pricing rather than regular pricing if you buy 5 or more titles.

CVBBS

Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service will be offering an across-the-board 10% discount. This will take many of their prices below what you’ll find anywhere else.

Desiring God

Desiring God has several of John Piper’s books marked down to $5: Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ; Spectacular Sins; Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God; Contending for Our All; The Power of Words and the Wonder of God; What Jesus Demands from the World. The offer ends at 3 PM CST.

Eternal Perspectives Ministries

Eternal Perspectives Ministries has some of Randy Alcorn’s bestselling books on sale. Included are Courageous at $6.99, Heaven at $9.99, The Treasure Principle at $3.99 and The Resolution for Men at $6.99. You’ll need to use the code blackfriday and will need to ship to the continental US.

Family Christian Stores

Family Christian Stores has a long list of items on sale both in-store and online. You can browse their brochure to find particulars (check pages 4-11).

The Good Book Company

The Good Book Company is selling their popular Good Book Guides at 50% off. Also, many of their bestselling paperback books, along with their books for teens, are 50% off.

Grace and Truth Books

Grace and Truth Books will have several substantial bargains. They include this 2-book edition of Pilgrim’s Progress and The Holy War; Reformation Study Bible; The Valley of Vision.

Indelible Grace

Indelible Grace has a bunch of deals on their music: Matthew Smith CDs for $7.99, a 3-pack of Even When My Heart Is Breaking for $9.99, or all 6 Indelible Grace studio CDs for $64.99, plus other great deals.

Lifeway

Lifeway has quite a long list of items for sale in-store and online.

Logos

Logos is selling 3 new resource bundles as well as 12 great commentaries and standalone references at good discounts. Base packages are discounted 15%. They are also giving away $250 dollars of Logos credit to 5 winners.

Monergism Books

Monergism Books has a series of coupon codes that will drive down prices on all of their products. Use coupon code EXTRA5 to take 5% off your order. If you spend more than $75, use coupon code EXTRA10 to take an extra 10% off your purchase and to get free shipping. If you spend $350 or more, use coupon code EXTRA15 to get an extra 15% off your order. These offers will be valid from Friday until Monday. Also, they have a few notable ebook deals: What Is the Mission of the Church? by Greg Gilbert and Kevin DeYoung is $5.99; Joy by Lydia Brownback is $1.99; The Godly Home by Richard Baxter is $1.99; Rescuing Ambition by Dave Harvey is $2.99.

New Growth Press

New Growth Press is offering the brand new The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski for just $9.99 (regular price is $29.99). The same deal can be had at Westminster Books.

Reformation Heritage Books

Reformation Heritage Books has a significant list of books on sale. A few highlights: A New Testament Biblical Theology by G.K. Beale is $30.00; 365 Great Bible Stories by Carine Mackenzie is $12.00; Reformation Heroes by Joel R. Beeke and Diana Kleyn is $15.00; The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard is $5.00.

Sovereign Grace

Sovereign Grace Ministries has a bunch of their books and music on sale.

Vyrso

Vyrso (Logos’ ebook company) has limited time free downloads of several Christian authors as well as deep discounts of up to 80% on a large number of titles. There will be a couple of free books available for download on Friday and Monday so check back both days to get a copy of these limited freebees. The Vyrso app is free to download and works on iPhone, android, iPad, and android tablets.

Westminster Books

Westminster Books has all of their ESV Bibles on sale at a 45% discount. On Monday they will also have the brand new The Gospel Story Bible at just $9.99 (regular price is $29.99—link will go live on Monday).

By popular request, here is a listing of some of the best Black Friday book deals for Christian readers. Note that most of these are Friday-only deals and that in many cases there is limited inventory. In other words, don’t dawdle!

$5 and less:

• Abortion by R.C. Sproul - $5.00
• After Darkness, Light by Various - $5.00
• Atheism Remix by Al Mohler - $5.00 (Monday only)
• Broken-Down House by Paul David Tripp - $4.99
• By Grace Alone by Sinclair Ferguson - $5.00
• Christ Formed in You by Brian Hedges - $4.99
• Contending for Our All by John Piper - $5.00
• Craftsmen by John Crotts - $4.99
• Crazy Love by Francis Chan - $5.00
• Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman - $4.99
• The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard - $5.00
• Ever, Only ALL for Thee by Pamela Bugden - $5.00
• Everyday Talk by John Younts - $4.99
• Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ by John Piper - $5.00
• Francis Schaeffer by Colin Duriez - $5.00 (Monday only)
• Get Outta My Face by Rick Horne - $4.99
• Get Wisdom by Ruth Younts - $4.99
• Guidebooks for Life by Various - $5.00 per title
• Herein Is Love by Nancy Ganz - $4.99 per volume
• Holy Subversion by Trevin Wax - $5.00 (Monday only)
• The Hope of Glory by Sam Storms - $5.00 (Monday only)
• How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home by Derek Thomas - $5.00
• Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp - $4.99
• Justification & Regeneration by Charles Leither - $5.00
• Lost in the Middle by Paul David Tripp - $4.99
• Loving the Church by John Crotts - $4.99
• The Mortification of Sin by John Owen - $5.00
• Note to Self by Joe Thorn - $5.00
• Pilgrim of the Heavenly Way by Daniel Smith - $5.00
• Power Perfected in Weakness by Christopher Klicka - $4.99
• A Praying Life by Paul Miller - $5.00
• A Proverbs Driven Life by Anthony Selvaggio - $4.99
• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges - $5.00
• Reclaiming Adoption by Various - $5.00
• Red Like Blood by Bob Bevington and Joe Coffey - $4.99
• Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp - $4.99
• Spectacular Sins by John Piper - $5.00
• Taking Hold of God by Various - $5.00
• Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore - $5.00
• The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman To Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle - $4.99
• Think by John Piper - $5.00
• Time for the Talk by Steve Zollos - $4.99
• The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn - $3.99
• Trust by Lydia Brownback - $5.00 (Monday only)
• What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper - $5.00
• When SInners Say ‘I Do’ by Dave Harvey - $4.99

Bibles:

• All ESV Bibles 45% off at Westminster Books
• The Bible Picture Story Bible - $15.00 (Monday only)
• ESV MacArthur Study Bible TruTone - $29.99
• ESV Student Study Bible - $14.99
• ESV Thinline Bible - $5.00
• Grow! Bible ESV - $15.00 (Monday only)
• HCSB Study Bible - $19.99
• Jesus Storybook Bible - $5.00
• The Gospel Story Bible - $9.99
• Seek and Find Bible ESV - $15.00 (Monday only)

Other Notable Book Deals:

• Spurgeon’s Sermons (5 volumes) - $29.99
• Heaven by Randy Alcorn - $9.99
• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem - $19.99
• Pilgrim’s Progress and The Holy War by John Bunyan - $29.00
• Crossway ESV Bible Atlas - $30.00 (Monday only)
• Also take a look at Banner of Truth’s long list of deals.

Audio Books:

• The Cross of Christ by John Stott - $4.98
• Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung - $2.98
• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges - $2.98
• Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft - $2.98
• Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle - $2.98
• The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul - $5.00
• Worldliness by C.J. Mahaney - $2.98

eBooks

• Abortion by R.C. Sproul - $5.00
• By Grace Alone by Sinclair Ferguson - $5.00
• Gospel Wakefulness by Jared Wilson - $5.00
• How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home by Derek Thomas - $5.00
• All e-books from Shepherd Press are available at $0.99. You will need to add them to your cart before you see the lower price.

Around this time last year I let you know about a new book that provides background and commentary for Handel’s Messiah. And now I want to encourage you to take in a performance of Messiah this Christmas season. And just to get you started, I’ve done some of the work, at least for those of you who live in a few major cities.

Messiah is one of the last distinctly Christian cultural events. Think about it: every year thousands and thousands of people pack concert halls to hear people sing Scripture set to music. They hear prophecies of a coming Messiah, they hear of his birth, they hear of his death and resurrection and they hear of his coming return. It is a remarkable thing. I almost feel a responsibility to support this kind of an event. I try to go every year and always enjoy it immensely.

I think you should do the same. It’s really quite easy to find a performance. I typed a few cities into Google and quickly found performances in:

New York - New York Philharmonic. Avery Fisher Hall. December 13, 14, 15, 16, 17  $31-$132

Toronto - Toronto Symphony Orchestra with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Roy Thompson Hall. December 14, 16, 17, 18, 19. $38 - $107

Atlanta - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus. Atlanta Symphony Hall. December 1, 3. $29 - $59

Philadelphia - The Philadelphia Orchestra with the Philadelphia Singers Chorale. Verizon Hall. December 18. $29 - $124.

Los Angeles - Los Angeles Master Chorale. Disney Hall. December 18. $24-$114.

I could go on and on. These are just the major events in major cities. Countless smaller churches, choirs and orchestras will also be offering performances.

So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets, buy the book, and prepare to have your soul stirred.