Add us to your circles!Christmas and Advent Meditations
The meditations in this collection are meant solely to prepare us to meet Christ anew. They point us to the fact that the God of the universe finds himself most at home in people who feel their need and are personally ready to come to the manger. Christmas is glad tidings indeed, but only for those who are starkly honest with themselves and recognize that life must change.
In their own, unique fashion, each author helps us to understand what it means to prepare for Christ's birth today.
Christmas books from Plough
When the Time Was Fulfilled
The Advent and Christmas meditations in this collection witness to the fact that the birth of Jesus is more than history – it is a reality – but only for those who feel their need and are personally ready to come to the manger. A revised and expanded edition of an old favourite, the 40 short, pithy readings in this book will not leave you sitting comfortably this Christmas. Free ebook in .pdf, .prc (Kindle), and .epub (Nook) formats.
Watch for the Light - Readings for Advent and Christmas
Providing a break from the commercialized frenzy of the season, these daily Advent readings invite us to examine the deepest meaning of Christmas. Watch for the Light gives new meaning to the phrase “holiday preparations.” Buy from Orbis Books.
Christmas Articles
Christmas Bible Studies
Merrill Mow, pastor and father of twelve children, taught a Bible study class in the last years of his life. Here are four of his classes on the events leading up to the first Christmas: Zechariah and Elizabeth, The Magnificat of Mary, The Birth of Christ, and The Wise Men.
The Mystery
A Christmas homily in English and German by St. John Chrysostom (c.347–407), an early church father who was known for his eloquence and his work with the poor. "How shall I describe this birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment..."
Shepherd's Work
It seems that every year there is another attempt to eliminate the word ‘Christmas’ and replace it with something politically correct, inclusive, and non-offensive...but the celebration of light over darkness is universal, and we should not be afraid of offending one another by what we call it.
Name That Tree
It seems that every year there is another attempt to eliminate the word ‘Christmas’ and replace it with something politically correct, inclusive, and non-offensive...but the celebration of light over darkness is universal, and we should not be afraid of offending one another by what we call it.
Gandhi Speaks of Christmas
Because Gandhi came to the message of Jesus unfettered by the traditions and doctrines that are commonly understood as “Christianity” his heart was free to respond deeply to the good news that Jesus’ advent brought to humankind. We’ll let Gandhi speak for himself...
A Lonely Christmas
It is probably safe to say that loneliness has never been as widespread as it is today. How many of your neighbors or colleagues do you really know as friends? How often do you turn on the television because you lack companionship? (In English and Spanish)
The Time Shall Be Fulfilled
Perhaps you have waited for years to be freed from some need or sin. For a long, long time you have looked out from the darkness in search of the light. Maybe you have a difficult problem that hasn’t been solved, in spite of great efforts. But then, when the time is fulfilled and God’s hour arrives, a solution, light, and deliverance will come quite unexpectedly.(In English and Spanish)
An Un-Merry Christmas
Our only intent had been to spread a little Christmas goodwill around the neighborhood. But for this neighbor it brought no cheer at all. Judging by her note, we had pretty much spoiled things for her...
Advent Readings From a Modern Martyr
In less than two years Oscar Romero would be taken down by an assassin's bullet, but in his first Advent as archbishop no one could silence his prophetic voice...
(In English and Spanish)
The Christmas Question
We want job security, safer schools, better relationships, happier homes. We want cleaner environments, less stress, more freedom. But the question at Christmas time is not what we want, but what God wants and wants to give.
Light Your Lamp for Advent
What does it mean to prepare for Advent? Jesus says, "Be ready for action, and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet...blessed is the slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives."
The Showing Forth of Christ
A meditation for Epiphany by John Donne, a mid-17th century cleric. "Every manifestation of Christ to the world, to the Church, to a particular soul is an Epiphany, a Christmas day."
Angel of Annunciation
Two years ago I was given a little angel for advent. It bore the inscription, “Rejoice, for the Lord is near.” A bomb destroyed the angel and killed the man who gave it to me. I feel he is doing me the service of an angel now...
A Goldfinch and a Child: a Christmas Short Story
5 page Christmas Short Story: The most wonderful night of the year found old Kenton Donegan walking home alone, alone in an aloneness as deep as the north wind was bitter and icy...
The Stone That Causes Men to Stumble
We are not supposed to wish one another a “Merry Christmas”; rather we must use “Happy Holidays” in order to not offend anyone. Jesus’ name is not allowed to be mentioned in any invocation or blessing that is spoken out in state assemblies or in Congress. His symbols, the manger and the cross, are not permitted in many public places. Has a Christmas celebration ever harmed any child?
Fear Not - A Christmas Gift Money Can’t Buy
Christmas is about many things. But one of the most important aspects of Christmas is the promise that we don't have to live our lives in fear.
9/11 and 9/16
One Hundred Days to Christmas is something my wife and I and our children celebrate every year (as do many of our friends) and centers around as many candles as we can fit on the kitchen table and our window sills.
Christmas Presence
At this Christmas let us not become so busy, so hurried, so intent on doing things for each other and buying gifts that we forget to be truly with each other.