FIRST-PERSON: Joseph: silent, forgotten yet remarkably obedient
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Joseph, the husband of Mary, is the forgotten man of Christmas.
FIRST-PERSON: Persecuted, jailed, passionate: That’s my kind of Santa Claus
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--In reflecting on this season of the year, I have often wondered how a Martian reporter would do a story on Christmas in the United States. If one only had the dominant cultural icons of TV, movies, news media and retail stores, my guess is that the Martian viewing audience wouldn't have a clue as to what Christmas was about.
FIRST-PERSON: It’s not that the children won’t be home for Christmas
ATLANTA (BP)--Chasing scrambled eggs with a gulp of sweet coffee, I glanced up at the baffled faces of my son and husband and tried to force a smile through my tears.
We were seated around the dining room table, enjoying a late breakfast of my son Jon's favorite -- biscuits and gravy -- before he hit the road to return to college. (Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com)
FIRST-PERSON: True joy is more than well-being or success
EULESS, Texas (BP)--We are entering into the most wonderful time of the year. Many of us are planning our Christmas vacations or shopping for Christmas toys. Our families join together to decorate trees and houses with bright lights and ornaments. We will attend Christmas parties and celebrate the season with friends. Many will visit a church for the first time this year. And the entire world joins together to celebrate this special season.
FIRST-PERSON: What are you expecting during the holidays?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--We went to my husband's aunt's home for Thanksgiving lunch. After greeting everyone and checking out the house, four-year-old Derek came and sat on the couch beside me. The other children were playing outside, but Derek was seated serenely, hands folded in his lap, his usual grin on his face.
FIRST-PERSON: How to avoid holiday gift-giving wars
GARLAND, Texas (BP)--In the early days in our marriage, it became obvious that picking the perfect Christmas gift for either one of us would be a major minefield in our relationship.
Conflicts over how much or how little to spend, locating the correct sizes and colors, and failing to pick up on "hints" that allegedly had been dropped during the year made the gift-giving issue more than just a minor annual ripple in our marital sea. The old maxim about "it's the thought that counts" seemed to go out the window at such times. (Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com)
FIRST-PERSON: Healthy suggestions for a happy holiday season
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, we are quickly headed into the full swing of the holiday season. During this season, I enjoy the constant reminder of the birth of our Savior. God's gift of Jesus provides redemption and the promise of abundant and eternal life.
