In Our Darkest Hour...

A history lesson:

Mid-winter celebrations have existed for centuries but it wasn't until the 4th Century that the church chose to celebrate the birth of Christ...and because the Bible doesn't mention any specific dates and because the Julian calendar hadn't yet existed...

The church chose December 25th - a holiday commonly associated with other mid-winter celebrations of pagan gods. Why? Partly because they hoped the popularity of "Christmas" or what was then termed the "Feast of the Nativity" would overtake pagan celebrations. While they sacrificed sole rights to the date and realized that they'd absorb several other traditions in the process...they believed December 25th increased their chances of the celebration being embraced.

Today the shortest day of the year occurs somewhere between December 20th and 24th...but centuries earlier December 25th was commonly the shortest day of the year - the winter solstice.


Why the history lesson? Because I have always wondered "why December 25th?" and I cannot help but assume the same for many others. Based on Scripture it's highly unlikely Christ was born during winter. So why celebrate then? Never before have I been able to see the significance of the timing of the season...but consider this:

On the shortest day of the year...the darkest day of the year...we celebrate the coming of a Savior. In our greatest time of need - a light shines through the darkness. Hope comes...

In our darkest hour...to us a child is born!

May this be a blessed Advent season for you and your family. May you experience the coming of a Savior in new and refreshing ways. And may you experience hope in your greatest times of need.

Soul Food...

It's easy for anyone, including parents, to forget the value of speaking words of encouragement and power...telling those we love - "I love you." Teenagers need discipline and boundaries among other things. But above all - my intuition tells me teens need to know they're loved. And while saying the words "I love you" convey the truth behind them...there are other ways to communicate love to your children:

Physical touch. At some point we begin to assume teens loathe hugs and kisses from their parents. While a wet one from mom can mean certain embarrassment in public - the warmth that comes from knowing they're loved outweighs temporary heckling. Hug your child!

Gifts. I realize what you're thinking - they have everything they could ever need or even want...true. But consider what gifts this holiday season will communicate "love." My dad is infamous for getting me off-the-wall random gifts...and last night as I pulled a Scottish Nutcracker from a box in our basement...I was thankful for the invaluable!

Food. My favorite passion in life!


Many people will tell you music is the universal language of the world...but I beg to differ! Food is the universal language. There is no better way to say "I love you" than a home-cooked meal. Let me explain...

The time...the thought...the perseverance...the resources...the "soul" that goes into preparing a meal communicates more to someone than we often imagine. Preparing a meal is giving a gift!

My fear is that family dinners are rapidly becoming a thing of the past...families seem able to gather around the dinner table for the holidays and an occasional day here and there. But quality time happens more nowhere else than around the dinner table. Stop. Stop yourself. Stop your teenagers. And sit down...take a respite from the hectic and enjoy food, family and conversation. It's practically like saying "I love you" with every bite!

I challenge you to a 5-day Food Challenge...spend one solid week - 5 straight days - eating together at the dinner table and see how it impacts your week and your family! I dare you to try it! Oh...and no television, texting or iPods allowed!