Different strokes for different folks. From candle lighting to poinsettias to mulled wine or even a calendar with 24 doors (our daughter Sara enjoyed that growing up), traditions to honor the coming of the Lord vary widely!

But this one takes the cake: In Hungary, Advent celebrations really take off, especially from December 13: On that day, unmarried women are not supposed to work—instead, they get together with friends and write 13 men’s names on 13 pieces of paper each. Until Christmas, they throw one away every day; the name that remains is their future husband’s.

For your pondering: Words worth mulling over

“People may resist our advice, spurn our appeals, reject our suggestions, refuse our help, but they are powerless against our prayers.” [Jill Briscoe]

“It is hard to stay angry at someone if you are praying for them.” [Tim Keller]

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” [Mother Teresa]

“You can impress from a distance, but you can only impact up close.” [Howard Hendricks]

For under your tree

Books are usually a good idea!

I’ll stay in my theological lane with this one. Here are a few recommendations from Christian inkwells:

C.S. Lewis, Eccentric Genius. Reluctant Prophet by Alistair McGrath
This is an excellent and readable biography of the man whose writings have meant so much so many, old and young.

Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did by John Mark Comer
Comer is a thoughtful, contemporary writer who address the deep, formational things that matter for a Christ follower. Though I have not read this book, a friend whom I trust recommends it highly.

Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World by Richard Mouw
The former seminary president has updated this significant work that helps Christian people to communicate graciously with those who disagree with them.

Evangelical Theology, Second Edition: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction by Michael Bird
This one is for the adventurous (not because it’s a difficult read, just a long one at 1008 pages—though it lends itself to be put down then picked back up at a later time). Trinity’s pastoral team read this work together and thoroughly enjoyed it.

And then because many Christian books don’t stand the test of time, here are some suggestions of authors whose works I believe have.

Philip Yancey: pretty much anything he has published. Specifically, I would recommend:
The Jesus I Never Knew
Disappointment with God
What’s So Amazing About Grace?

And Sue would highly recommend his autobiography: Where the Light Fell: A Memoir.

Sinclair Ferguson is a brilliant scholar with a pastor’s heart. This Reformed Scotsman has written many recommendable books. Here are three:
A Heart for God
Lessons from the Upper Room: The Heart of the Savior
Devoted to God

For tugging at your heart

Watch this sweet Christmas ad from the UK.

A poem written by C.S. Lewis for his wife Joy Davidman, on the prospect of her death:

“As the Ruin Falls”
All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through:
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.
Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin:
I talk of love—a scholar’s parrot may talk Greek—
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.
Only that now you have taught me (but how late) my lack.
I see the chasm. And everything you are was making
My heart into a bridge by which I might get back
From exile, and grow man. And now the bridge is breaking.
For this I bless you as the ruin falls. The pains
You give me are more precious than all other gains.

For debate

I sure started one last Sunday with my praising of Patrick Stewart as playing a great Ebenezer Scrooge in the movie of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. No, it’s Alistair Sim! No way! The best is Albert Finney! Are you kidding me? It’s George C. Patton—I mean, Scott :). Jim Carrey? Who’s your favorite? To hear last week’s sermon where I used Scrooge as my basis and symbol for the possibility of real change, click here.

“Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness,
and put on the armor of light,
now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.”
[Scot McKnight]