Articles for tag: Nativity Scenes

December 29, 2015

By Mark A. Taylor Today, just four days after Christmas, some of us are ready for the celebration to be over. We”re tired of travel (or worn out by our houseguests), we”ve exchanged or returned gifts that weren”t right, and we”re looking forward to a little rest or maybe even getting back to work. And even if we loved every minute of our family Christmas, we may still pause to wonder whether the impact of the incarnation penetrated our celebration. And so, today, here”s a word of inspiration. The following is adapted from a column first posted here two years

December 8, 2013

Christian Standard

Devotionals

The Ironic Opportunity of Christmas

By Ethan Magness For centuries, church leaders have been creatively using the cultural opportunities available to them to proclaim the gospel and the reign of the kingdom of God. Most of our current Christmas traditions developed in this way. Cultural practices (many pagan in origin) were adapted and redeveloped in the context of celebration of Christ”s birth. In fact, although the precise history is murky, it is likely the date of the celebration itself was chosen to co-opt the ancient celebration of the sun that occurred at the winter solstice. These opportunities to redeem the culture around us and focus

December 3, 2013

Mark A. Taylor

Devotionals

An Opportunity to Ponder

By Mark A. Taylor The gospel is born and bathed in mystery. How can we understand, how can we respond to what Jesus said and who Jesus was? He told his followers, “I am the light of the world” and, “You are the light of the world.” We and he are the same light? How? He commanded, “Be holy, even as I am holy.” How is that possible? He told Nicodemus, “You must be born again,” and with the puzzled Pharisee, the first-time reader asks, “How can a grown man climb back into the womb?” The greatest mystery, of course,

December 20, 2009

Christian Standard

Devotionals

The Ironic Opportunity of Christmas

Â by Ethan Magness For centuries, church leaders have been creatively using the cultural opportunities available to them to proclaim the gospel and the reign of the kingdom of God. Most of our current Christmas traditions developed in this way. Cultural practices (many pagan in origin) were adapted and redeveloped in the context of celebration of Christ”s birth. In fact, although the precise history is murky, it is likely the date of the celebration itself was chosen to co-opt the ancient celebration of the sun that occurred at the winter solstice. These opportunities to redeem the culture around us and

February 6, 2008

Mark A. Taylor

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

Mike Huckabee, Cultural Decay, and Christians Like Us

Peggy Noonan’s criticism of Mike Huckabee drew passionate letters from supporters who see cultural decay as America’s central crisis. The article argues government can’t fix hearts—and lasting change comes through yielding to God’s Word and Spirit.