May the Lord be with you and bless you on this fine day.
Today’s Kindle deals include some really important books like Michael Emlet’s Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners and the excellent How to Teach Kids Theology. Jonny Ardavanis’ Consider the Lilies is also a good pick.
My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2025
One of my favorite year-end roundups is Collin Hansen’s top 10 theology stories of the year that has gone by. You won’t be surprised by this year’s top story, I’m quite certain.
Mama, You Don’t Have to Save Christmas
Staci Eastin: “For many years, Christmas was a struggle. Christmas decorations in a too-small house, buying gifts on a too-small budget, and traveling to visit family on a too-short timeline. Healthcare doesn’t slow down for the holidays, so time off was hard to come by. I didn’t have the luxury of slowing down to reflect on the joy of the season. It was more like squeezing the joy in on top of everything else that went on. Even in the years that I didn’t work, it still felt like I was stretched too thin during the holidays.”
Strong and Fearless Faith
Middle-grade readers will encounter 52 short biographies of unsung heroes of the Christian faith—including activists, pastors, and missionaries. Along the way, kids will learn about the trials and triumphs of the Black Americans who shaped our nation’s history. (Sponsored)
The Empty Chair at Christmas
Daniel writes for those who will be aware of an empty chair this holiday season. “Are you struggling with a loss this season? An unexpected relationship severed? A broken family? A marriage in tatters? A death you didn’t expect. The truth is that you can bring your losses to Christmas because God feels them.”
Don’t Give Up All Your Sundays to Advent
It is perhaps a bit late for this one, but I do appreciate what Stephen says here in reminding us that celebrating Christmas is in no way mandated in Scripture and that it may be worth thinking about dedicating 1/12th of each year’s sermons to the incarnation. He is clear that this is not sinful, but just wants church leaders to think about it.
Home
If you appreciate poetry, I think you’ll enjoy this original sonnet by Abram Newcomer.
A Call to Pray for the Church in Rwanda
Phil describes the extremely difficult situation for Christians in Rwanda and puts out the call to pray. “In recent months, our brothers and sisters in Rwanda have entered a season of deep trial, one that calls the entire Body of Christ to prayer, solidarity, and biblical hope.”
Flashback: The Dark Side of Christian Celebrity
The satisfaction we feel in seeing them gain authority is matched only by the satisfaction we feel in seeing them lose that authority…There is a celebrity machine, to be sure, but there is also a celebrity landfill, a celebrity dump, a place we relegate people once we are through with them, once they no longer please us.
No son or daughter has ever been saved by good parenting, and no one upon whom God has set his love will ever miss out on God’s blessing through imperfect parenting.
—Christopher Ash
