December 24, 2022
"It was the winter of 1968, the break between semesters of my senior year in Bible college," Ken Idleman writes. "Kaylene and I had been married the previous August and had determined that we would spend our first Christmas together in the Holy Land . . ."
December 21, 2022
"All my Christmas memories are framed by the city where I both spent my childhood and where my wife and I raised our daughter," Steve Carr shares in today's Christmas remembrance. "And for me, nothing says Christmas in Cincinnati like the live Nativity display at Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park."
November 30, 2020
Note: Over a four-week period leading up to Christmas, our Communion meditations are considering four essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we highlight the town of Bethlehem. By Stuart Powell When Rome ruled the Mediterranean region, many cities rose to prominence in the empire while others lingered in obscurity. Bethlehem was an insignificant place by then, though it had been the birthplace of King David a thousand years earlier. Long before the Romans conquered much of the civilized world, the luster of Bethlehem’s importance had been forgotten. That was the situation 300 years
December 18, 2019
By Chris Moon Another year, another “Journey to Bethlehem.” For some Restoration Movement churches, the “Journey” is a tradition that has spanned decades. Christian Standard found two churches that have been at it for at least 25 years—New Hope Christian Church in Washington, Ind., and Capital City Christian Church in Jefferson City, Mo. “Things kind of gain a life of their own,” said Joe Coquillard, lead pastor of New Hope, which held its 25th annual “Journey to Bethlehem” last weekend. He said 1,791 people participated in the interactive Nativity that guides participants through a series of scenes that tell the
December 15, 2019
We plan to post a few Christmas-themed articles from Christian Standard’s archives during the days leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. We’ll start with this Christmas quiz from 1974. _ _ _ How’s Your Christmas I.Q.? December 15, 1974; p. 12;By Maxine Fream You’ve heard the Christmas story ever since you were a small child and you know it backwards and forwards, right? So you should have no trouble answering the following few questions, right? Watch it! True or false?— 1. Joseph and Mary were both descended from King David. 2. Joseph thought Mary’s child was illegitimate and
December 20, 2017
This Christmas editorial from December 20, 1969, was written by Edwin V. Hayden, who served as editor of Christian Standard from 1957 to 1977. ___ By Edwin V. Hayden We observe, without being greatly disturbed by it, a growing tendency for Christmas to be observed as a season rather than as a day. For many it is a season of merchandising and merriment, merely extending what they have always done with the day. For Christians it is a season for becoming acquainted with Christ, and the more greatly that is extended, the better! It is hard to pinpoint Christmas, even as a
December 8, 2017
By Michael C. Mack Editors probably shouldn”t have a “favorite” issue. After all, I think every issue of Christian Standard has incredibly well-written stories. However . . . I really love this one! Perhaps it”s because the Christmas season brings out so many sentimental memories for me. Or maybe it”s because this issue has lots of awe-inspiring stories about family. Dave Stone, Kyle Idleman, and Rusty Russell tell stories of how their parents blessed them and their ministries. Joe Harvey shares how he and Val have blessed their daughter Mandy, and how she in turn is blessing them. We have
November 16, 2017
By Teresa D. Welch Strips of cloth, angels, a man named Joseph, a bed, spices, an angel”s “do not be afraid” message, and a group rushing to tell others the good news. In the context of December, with decorated trees and carolers singing “fa-la-la-la-la,” you most likely associated those items with the story found in Luke 2: “And she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed in him a manager” (v. 7). But these elements of the Christmas story also appear in a different story about Christ. The story of Christmas reminds
December 19, 2016
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the December 18 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott “The Savior has arrived.” That is quite a headline. Big news. Make no mistake””this is a big day for the church. Joni Eareckson Tada said, “If God can become man, then everything else is easy.” Paul Scherer, who taught homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary, said, “God came walking down the stairs of heaven with a baby
December 20, 2015
By Bob Mink The Christmas season is a special time of year for almost everyone””especially its sights, sounds, and smells. Who doesn”t like the smell of a fresh-cut tree or of cookies baking? Who doesn”t appreciate a “Merry Christmas” greeting or festive holiday music? Who isn”t drawn to the lights and decorations? I enjoy all these at Christmastime every year. And why not? Christians can decorate a tree, bake special cookies, and give gifts all while fully embracing the meaning in the birth of Jesus. And maybe thinking about the sights, sounds, and smells of that first Christmas can make
December 4, 2015
By Lee Magness Luke tells us three things about the location of Jesus” birth: the town, the building, and the furniture. First, Luke emphasizes that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, mentioning the town four times (2:4, 6, 11, and 15). Bethlehem was a farming village, insignificant except for one thing””being the birthplace of King David. No, make that two things””Bethlehem means “house of bread.” Jesus, the “bread of life,” was born in the “house of bread.” Second, Luke tells us there was no guest room for Mary and Joseph when it was time for Jesus to be born (Luke 2:7).
December 16, 2013
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the one who gives the historical details and setting of Jesus” birth. With careful research and guided by the Holy Spirit”s inspiration, he records the wonderful news of Christ”s birth and how those who first heard about it were called to rejoice. No doubt Luke interviewed Mary, Jesus” mother, in preparing to write it (Luke 1:3; 2:19). The Baby”s Birth Luke 2:1-7 Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. The Romans were
December 26, 2010
By Doug Redford Now that Christmas Day has passed, it”s time to move from thinking about giving gifts to the matter of returning them. Many of us will need to spend some time during the upcoming week returning a Christmas gift that happened to be the wrong size, color, or style. Stores usually offer tips to keep in mind when returning a gift, including: keep all the tags and original packing when giving and opening gifts (especially electronics, computers, appliances, and games), keep receipts, and check the time limit on returns (some stores limit returns to 30 days after a
December 21, 2008
By Victor Knowles  In Frank Capra”s acclaimed and heartwarming 1946 film, It”s a Wonderful Life, God sends an angel named Clarence to earth to show George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) what life would be like if he had never been born. The moral of the movie (this is when movies had morals!) is that each person”s life has value and carries with it the potential of influencing many other lives for good. In one sense, everyone”s birth somewhat changes the world in which he lives. But in a spiritual and eternal realm, only one birth has truly changed
December 17, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor As Christmas approaches, a troubled world longs for “peace on earth” amid news of bloodshed, murder, and war. And one spot, not far from volatile Middle Eastern conflict, offers hope. The site is called Bethany beyond the Jordan, at the Jordan River in the nation of Jordan. It is a place rich with recent archeological discoveries made possible only after Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994. Until the accord, the area was rendered off-limits by buried explosives comprising 11 different mine fields. Once the mines were removed, archeologists working there uncovered evidence to
December 25, 2005
By Tom Lawson Author”s Note: With apologies to those who insist on sticking to what we actually know about important biblical events, the following is offered in the spirit of the season. Mary still weakly held on to Joseph”s hand. Trembling, mostly caused by sheer exhaustion, still came in waves. Joseph dabbed the sweat off her face and tried to smooth her hair. He”d been so wonderful the whole long night. She knew he was as scared as she was, but he tried hard not to sound like it. He had even wrapped the child up in the strips of
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