Last year around this time I conducted a little social experiment. The holiday rush was in full-swing and I was struggling to feel the spirit of the season. I was feeling a spirit caused by the byproducts of the season, but they were on the wrong end of the spectrum. With all of the wonderful goodness that goes along with Christmas and the holiday season there is a fine line between “holly...
For about 20 years now, I’ve wanted the same thing for Christmas. I often feel much like Ralphie, the main character in the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. In the movie, all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a “Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model, air rifle.” At every turn, poor Ralphie is stymied by the prevailing sentiment that he will “shoot his eye out” should he get one. The...
Tis the season… to debate about when it is appropriate to decorate for Christmas! There is a plethora of opinions, as varied and diverse as the decorations on a family Christmas tree. Some argue that each holiday must be given its own individual time to be properly observed. Each holiday should be observed in its own due season and the next holiday ought not be celebrated until the preceding...
One of my must-see movies of the Christmas season is A Charlie Brown Christmas. It’s short, sweet, and to the point. I’m not one who talks all that much about things being better “way back when,” but there is something special about a movie for children that so clearly delivers the truth of Scripture. The entirety of the movie builds up to the moment when Charlie Brown asks the question of the...
Santa Claus has been quite the controversial character for most of my life. He was never really a central part of my Christmas experience growing up or now with my children, but having attended some very conservative Christian schools, there were some very strong anti-Santa sentiments. One of my college professors often referred to him as “Satan Claus,” and took every opportunity to explain why...
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. – Buddy the Elf Last week I experienced a week of Mondays. I don’t know if that’s a thing or not, but I’m pretty sure that’s what I experienced. It took every ounce of energy to stay focused on the task at hand. I had several unplanned situations develop, all of which demanded my immediate and complete...
One of my favorite holiday pastimes is watching Christmas movies. Over the years, I have collected quite the library. Some of them are more modern releases, such as Arthur Christmas, Polar Express, and Elf. Others are Christmas classics, such as A Christmas Story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. In a strange twist of irony, the newest addition to my collection is...
Jeremy Myers is the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Seymour, Indiana, where he has served since 2017. He has over 25 years of experience in local church ministry and not-for-profit leadership. He has a passion for helping emerging and existing generations learn to make space for each other and caring for the under-served and marginalized. In 2016, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, with his thesis focusing on developing connections between senior adults and youth in the church. He is a passionate and gifted communicator and is regularly invited to speak at retreats, camps, conferences, and other events. He lives in Seymour, Indiana with his wife Robyn, their two children, Mikayla and JJ, and their Golden Doodle, Evie.
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