Ryan's Ramblings

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12, NLT) The birth of this little boy [Jesus] is the beginning of a confrontation between…

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesusby Charles Wesley Come, Thou long expected JesusBorn to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our rest in Thee.Israel’s Strength and Consolation,Hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear Desire of every nation,Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver,Born a child and yet…

Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.        …

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” … Herod was furious…

Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning—not home, but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last. — Frederick Buechner

On the Adoration of the Shepherdsby David Brendan Hopes God is born tonight in the next town.Be serious. Who wouldn’t go?Lock the back door. Turn the furnace down.Throw a handful of food at the dog. Blowoff the dinner with the couple you really like.Riffle through the bills for thosewhich absolutely will not wait. Take a…

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. (James 1:17, NASB) We’ve been blessed to visit Disneyland together a number of times over the past 34 years, but for me, “the happiest place on earth” is with you! Happy Anniversary Dina! With all my love,…