Santa is a potentially controversial figure among Christians, but perhaps there’s a better perspective we could take on his story.

Perhaps no Christmas figure is more maligned that Saint Nicholas.

The man who began as a generous church leader, trying to inspire others to care for the poor, evolved into a magical sprite in a reindeer-drawn sled used by parents to bribe children into obedience.

While this time of year is traditionally considered to be one of great joy, it also can be the one where the broken pieces of our hearts and lives most clearly show up.

My uncle, my father’s baby brother, died suddenly before the holidays.

At 28 years old, he had moved back in with the family and was working his way through some personal issues, when a complication with a hereditary illness caused his heart to stop one night.

Worshiping and delighting in Jesus at Christmas sounds all well and good, but how do we find the time and the right frame of mind to do this amid the holiday chaos?

In 1480, Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to paint an altarpiece for the Augustinian monks of San Donato. He completed detailed drawings of the painting’s figures and scene, but then he left the city.

The painting would be finished years later by an unknown artist.

The tradition of decorating a pine tree for the holidays wasn’t always a Christian one and has a sorted history only Christ could redeem.

While we’re plowing through the everyday duties, we may not feel like we’re doing anything special, but we could be with the right perspective.

Philippians 4:4 could be considered the anthem of the third Sunday in Advent. “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT).

The second Sunday of Advent turns to examine Mary’s faith and how believers can learn from her choices.

Malachi’s an odd little book, only four chapters long and at the tail end of the Old Testament. It’s not much fun to read, to be quite honest. There’s lots of rebelling, judgment and general unhappiness.

The first Sunday of Advent is about much more than just lighting candles and starting the countdown to Christmas. 

A great deal of ink has been spilled by those insisting that all Christmas traditions have pagan roots and ought not be celebrated by “real” Christians.