Some great Christmas ones this week:

For those in Toronto who were trying to see the Christmas Star astrological event this past week:

Again, this one made me emotional – so much hope!:

This truth (ours was quite simple, but also quite wonderful):

Also this truth:

What happens if the Minister shows up this way?!:

Punctuation matters, friends:

Absolutely:

And finally, this blessing for your day (cause CS Lewis is always worth sharing!):

Until tomorrow, dear friends, keep on thinking and laughing and drawing closer to God!

Welcome to Sunday worship, for the first Sunday after Christmas. Dad and I are so delighted to be together and get to talk about the scriptures, to share music and prayers with you. This will be the simple format of worship this Sunday and next, and we pray it will be a blessing to you! (For Graceview people, there won’t be a formal Zoom fellowship for the next two Sundays – though if, informally, some members wanted to organize and get together virtually, you would have my absolute blessing!)

Here is our video of home-for-the-holidays worship:

And a couple of videos of extra music for your enjoyment. Here is Fountainview Academy doing “Joy to the World,” and BYU Vocal Point doing “The First Noel”:

Until tomorrow, dear friends, trust in the Light, which the darkness cannot overcome.

(Cause sometimes you need to take a break! And cause this is just too good.)

(And in case you’re having trouble reading it: “Christmas is the ultimate reminder of this: the God who set everything in motion, from the dance of the electron, to the orbit of the planets – the God who sustains everything took on flesh and stepped into the world that he had made, that we might not just know ABOUT him, but KNOW him.” – Andy Bannister)

A very Merry Christmas to each of you! I trust that despite all the differences that this year has enforced, you will still know the presence of Christ as we celebrate his birth this day.

Here is the video service, for you to enjoy:

And for your enjoyment, some extra Christmas music. This is the Pentatonix excellent version of “Mary, did you know?”:

And the Houston Chamber Choir singing “I saw Three Ships”:

Until tomorrow, dear friends, celebrate the fact that the light has come!

This was an experiment from start to finish, but in the conversation afterwards, everyone seemed quite pleased (I’m still cringing over how my voice sounded as I sang with Dad!). Blessings, friends, it was a joy to gather with you virtually and I hope this will bless those of you who couldn’t come to the Zoom in person.

Here is the file of the manuscript of the service in case you’d like to print it off to follow along:

Be blessed, dear friends!

This is what it’s all about, friends:

I know this year is different, I know many are isolated or only celebrating with those in their household. I have friends who’ve told me that they aren’t doing presents or decorating or special meals. But I hope in this stripped-down Covid Christmas, you’re still able focus on the whole point of all the traditions: that born for you is a saviour, who is Christ the Lord. That he lived, taught, died and rose again to secure your forgiveness. That he loves you dearly, and if you would let him, he’d walk with you daily through this life, giving peace and strength that the world cannot give.

Merry Christmas Eve. Be blessed, dear friends! (I won’t say ‘until tomorrow’ as I am hoping to have a Zoomy-Christmas Eve service to share later this evening on the blog! Blessings!)

(For those who struggle at this time of year. Sending love and prayers for better days.)

I’ve loved this quote for many years now. Because this is what it’s all meant to be about – the gifts, the gatherings, the endless food. It’s meant to be about love.

I think over the years, people have forgotten that and instead been stressed out by all the trappings of the season.

This is a good year to get back to simply showing love for others. Let go of judgment or high expectations or pressures. Smile at the people you meet, even with your mask on – they’ll recognize the crinkling of your eyes. Spend time with people in your household – play some card games, go for a walk, bake some cookies (extra points if you can safely porch-drop them to a neighbor or two). Go for a drive and enjoy the lights together.

Just love. Love each other. And Christmas will come.

Until tomorrow, dear friends, engage in the conspiracy of love!

There have been a lot of fabulous Christmas memes going around this week, some covid related, some not. Let get this party started with a couple of them…

This one ’cause we’ve all been there recently:

I snorted at this one:

The 2020 jokes aren’t stopping just cause it’s Christmas:

This is just super cute:

Guess which one I am?:

This one actually made me emotional:

Love this:

This is totally me:

This lovely bit of advice:

These two lovely thoughts about what Christmas is all about:

And finally, this blessing for your day:

Until tomorrow, dear friends, keep on laughing and thinking and drawing closer to God!

Welcome to Worship on the Advent Sunday of Love. May the service be a blessing to you!

Please also enjoy these musical selections:

Until tomorrow, dear friends, may you know that God loves you dearly!