Christmas

Christmas is a season for the unexpected

Partners, collaborators and allies may first show up as unannounced and unknown visitors, writes a director of grants with Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Victoria Atkinson White Director of Grants, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Can’t relate to Christmas Mary? There’s good news for you too

For women without biological children, the veneration of Mary can be alienating. But Mary’s freedom song in Luke’s Gospel offers another way to regard the mother of Jesus, writes an author.

By Erin S. Lane Writer

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What was Joseph to do?

Mary is understandably a focus of most Advent stories, but there are also lessons to learn from Joseph, writes a director of programs and grants at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Mycal X. Brickhouse Director of programs and grants, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Our grief doesn’t stop during Advent

The shepherds’ story within the greater nativity offers wisdom for those mourning a loss during Christmas, a pastor writes.

By Kalina Carlson Associate pastor and entrepreneur

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It's time to talk about Advent in a pandemic

If congregations begin to consider what Advent and Christmas might look like online, they will have time to imagine and plan together, writes a managing director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Nathan Kirkpatrick Principal, Saison Consulting, LLC

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Patricia La Cross: Finding improbable joy in a difficult world

After attending a New Year’s Eve protest at a medium security prison, a writer reflects on shouting out love and finding hope -- with joy -- in a new year.

By Patricia La Cross Writer

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Melissa Musick Nussbaum: Make room for the real work of nativity and resurrection

Getting ready to host an immigrant family, a writer and speaker reflects on the book of Acts and the post-holiday question of “now what?”

By Melissa Musick Nussbaum Writer

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Christmas Festival brings 'good news of great joy' to a diverse and changing world

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival, one of the oldest and most highly regarded musical Christmas celebrations in the country, is a constantly changing ‘global event,’ bringing a message the world wants and needs to hear.

By Jeff Strickler Journalist

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Gretchen E. Ziegenhals: How do we make a lasting impact in a culture of instant gratification?

This Christmas, what are we as church leaders painting, praying, preaching, proclaiming or prophesying that will endure for another 500 years? Are we conveying the hope of the Christ child that keeps us alive despite the darkness that threatens to overwhelm us?

By Gretchen E. Ziegenhals Spiritual director and retreat leader

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A worship service for a year of generosity and abundance

This worship service is based on Puerto Rican Christmas traditions, which include joyful gatherings of friends and family, music, and a soup called asopao.

By Thea L. Racelis Minister, Northwest Community Church, Las Vegas

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Thea L. Racelis: Puerto Rican Christmas means asopao and resistance

A pastor shares the traditions of her native island, where big parties with steaming bowls of delicious soup called asopao symbolize abundance, hope and resistance.