Forty years ago this month, just days before Christmas, my father had a horrible car wreck caused by black ice. He nearly died in that wreck, and by all accounts should have; but God clearly wasn’t done with him yet. On his way to work at 5:30 am, his car hit the invisible ice at the bottom of a hill as he headed into a curve. Traveling 50 mph, his car, out of his control, careened over the steep embankment and slammed top first into a huge oak tree. The top of the car was sm

I don’t think I’ve missed many sunrises on Christmas morning. As a child, I couldn’t wait to go find the gifts left under the tree for me. I know I always woke my parents much earlier than they wanted. As an adult, my kids returned the favor, making sure I was up bright and early every Christmas to watch the sun rise as they opened their gifts. Now that my youngest is 22, I’m thinking this may be the year I will get to sleep a little later… we’ll see. The excitement of fi

When I was a child, I couldn’t wait for Christmas! I was so excited about opening all the wonderful gifts under the tree. I watched the calendar, with great anticipation, eagerly waiting for Christmas Day; and when It finally arrived, I was thrilled! God promised in the Old Testament, hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, that He would send a Messiah. His prophets offered many signs to watch for so that we would know that He had arrived. Isaiah offered this prophecy… 14

My wife has really done a wonderful job decorating our home for Christmas this year, and I am so thankful! I am ready for some Christmas, how ‘bout you? This year, I think a lot of people are craving what Christmas offers us… an unchanging, life-changing message of peace and hope! It is a message we can count on. Over the next three weeks, we are going to be learning more about the amazing gift worth waiting for. This week I want to challenge you to “prepare for it!” T