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(December 2020) When I was a teenager, I used to enjoy going out in the streets to play Christmas carols on my cornet (which is like a trumpet) with fellow members of a Salvation Army band. Today, such instrumental carolers are often found in the warmth of a mall, but years ago, such malls didn’t  […]

(Dec. 2018) Romans 12:13 – Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV) Traditionally, we like our family to be together on Christmas Day. If that is physically impossible, we at least try to make contact by telephone or webcam. One Christmas Day, my son and his family were at their home  […]

Music is a wonderful gift from God. While we enjoy it all year long, I think that it is especially meaningful in December. This is probably because of the number of Christmas carols that we both hear and sing. While no one on earth can now be certain, I like to imagine Luke’s recounting of  […]

At this holiday time of the year, the word “family” often seems to come up. Thanksgiving is observed in Canada in October and in the United States in November. Next month there will again be times of holiday celebrations, especially at Christmas. There is generally a strong desire to be together at these special times  […]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one  […]

Psalm 90:10 – The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (KJV) Although I have almost completed fourscore and six years, some of you reading this  […]

Everything that we say or do communicates what we want others to know about us. Sometimes, we do this by the clothes that we wear. When I wear a bright green shirt, the comments that I receive indicate that I am bringing happiness to my friends with an Irish heritage. Sports fans often wear T-shirts  […]

Mark 8:36 – For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (KJV) During the current pandemic, there are many comments appearing about people re-evaluating what is important. It reminded me of a personal experience almost 50 years ago. I was asked by my employer,  […]

Philippians 4:11-13 – Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,  […]

Have you ever wondered why God created us with two ears and two eyes but only one mouth? Do you think it could be that we should spend four times as much listening and observing as talking? When I told a member of the nursing staff where I live that I was considering doing a  […]