Christmas

It was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, "What are you charged with?" "Doing my Christmas shopping early," replied the defendant.

Christmas, Traditions

In northern Europe, a walk through a winter's forest is a bleak affair-white, stark, cold, lifeless except for occasional boughs of green holly bearing bright red berries. In Medieval times, these boughs were brought inside to brighten the interior of the small houses. As Christianity spread, people noticed that the thorny points of the holly leaves could symbolize our Lord's crown of thorns...

Hunting, Preferences

Dad loved the outdoors, and because of his passion for hunting and fishing, the family ate a considerable amount of wild game. One evening as Dad set a platter of broiled venison steaks on the dinner table, his 10-year-old daughter looked up and said, "Boy, it sure would be nice if pizzas lived in the woods."

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving by way of daily thanks-living demands that we pray, yes; but it also demands that we "unload" our prayers at the doorsteps of those who are hungry, lonely and just plain without.

Christ, Head of the Church

Can you believe it? The head of a baby Jesus statue was knocked off and carried away by vandals. It happened in Wauwatosa, Wis., at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. The church members understandably are angry and looking to get the statue fixed. If the head is not found, the church will have to replace the entire statue at a cost of $12,000.

Time

Recently, the Cincinnati Enquirer told a story about a man named David Booth who wanted to make an apology. Years earlier in 1969, Booth tried to hijack a Delta flight. During the attempt, he threatened an 18-year-old girl with a knife. The offended girl's sister is certain her sister would have forgiven Booth, but Booth will not be able to experience the freedom and joy of offering an apology and receiving the grace of forgiveness. He learned a valuable lesson. The time to make amends or do anything noble and good is now.

Thanksgiving

A grandmother was showing her grandchildren one of those pictures of a Pilgrim family going to church on Thanksgiving Day. Thinking she might make a point, she said, "The Pilgrim children really enjoyed going to church with their mothers and fathers and praying to God." Her youngest grandson looked at her and asked, "So, why is their dad carrying that rifle?"

Thanksgiving

A fourth-grader stood up in his public school class, giving a report concerning the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. Here's how he began:

Resurrection

Some find it impossible to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Christians find it impossible not to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. If the world's best Man did not survive death, if the world's one perfect Man did not survive the grave, what hope is that for us? "We are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor. 15:19).

Preaching

Preachers hear a great number of fascinating comments when they stand at the door after the service. One preacher reported the most unusual compliment he ever received: An old, soft-spoken gentleman came out to greet the preacher after the service and said, "Missed my nap today." The preacher took it as a compliment. No doubt that is how the man meant it.