Echoes and Stars

1) Someone asked me recently about some good Christian books to buy as presents. And by “good” they meant well-written. There are some. The problem? There is so little. Most is written by pastors who are writing like Piper or Warren. They aren’t looking to Hemingway or even Buechner. And instead of words bleeding onto the page money falls from stiff spines.

2) The anticipation of Advent has been supplanted by waiting for one of us to get sick.

3) Nothing has helped me get perspective this Christmas season more than Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God. And wine.

4) Jesus was born into a world of far more injustice than we may ever see in our lives. And yet he came. And the government is upon his shoulders.

5) My first gift this year was a huge box of bacon, setting the tone for the rest of all gift-giving.

6) When it comes to Christmas, the wonder over the lesson.

7) There is a part of me wanting to outgrow my desire to get presents at Christmas. but then there is part of me really, really wanting a record player.

8) This is my first orphan Christmas. My parents have gone on ahead to experience what is “not yet” of the incarnation for the rest of us.

9) If my five year old is still singing the wrong “words” to “Arf, the Erald Angels Sing” when Christmas is over, then the season will have been a success.

10) Serious. My favorite part of Christmas is buying gifts for Bethany. Buying gifts I cannot afford. Because she’d be happy with the smallest bit of thoughtfulness. But she is so much of a gift I cannot help but overspend.