Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?

Christmas is a great time of the year. Lights, presents and music are all parts of the Christmas tradition. And of course I have to mention the cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies. Although they all seem to have a similar plot, that’s part of what makes them relaxing to watch. Some Christians…...

Miriam: Enemy of the State

Apart from Jesus and Santa Claus, no figure looms larger in the Christmas story than Mary. (Now that I’ve got that sentence out of the way, I’m going to use their Hebrew names—Yeshua and Miriam. I won’t be mentioning Santa Claus again, so I don’t have to figure out his…...

No Vacancy

You may celebrate Christmas. Or you may not. But since everything is closed today, it couldn’t hurt to take some time to reflect on the birth of our Messiah. Toward that end, allow me to recommend this fictional short story that I wrote last year, combining Christmas with the Feast…...

An Existential Christmas

My parents have always been committed to getting us some kind of “stuff” to open on Christmas morning. That stuff usually includes some kind of wacky toy—something of a creative and/or competitive nature. For example, one year my dad gave us this battle-track kit where we could build our own…...

Do We Have To?

Do we have to celebrate the birth of Yeshua? Of course the answer is no, but we do anyway.  Personally, I celebrate his birth because I love having a special season to focus on this marvelous event.  It thrills my heart every time I read in the gospel of Luke,…...

Festival(s) of Lights (Part 1)

First came the Solstice. Then Hanukkah. Then Christmas. Then Kwanzaa. There really is something for everyone in December; to the point where it’s officially become “Holiday of Your Choice” month. I happen to think this is no coincidence. It’s not like a clothing boutique randomly showed up on a particular block,…...

How Hanukkah Saved Christmas

What does Hanukkah have to do with Christmas, you might ask? Yes, they happen about the same time. Yes, both have lights and presents and parties and sugary treats. But the connection goes much deeper than that. I grew up celebrating Christmas – the Christmas gifts, the Christmas pageant, the…...