Christian Americans celebrate Christmas in two spheres. On one hand, we have our religious traditions: lighting the advent wreath, setting up nativity scenes, singing our favorite seasonal hymns like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” On the other, we experience Christmas as the cultural phenomenon it has become: putting elves on shelves, writing letters to Santa, and singing…
“For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.” Psalm 62:5-7 I don’t know about you, but the list of things in my life that are not ‘exactly as I would want them’ is pretty big. Maybe you’re the same way; maybe you have dreams that aren’t…
It is important for children to learn to build relationships with other adults who see the good in them and believe in them. They should know other adults who will listen to them and care about them. There are opportunities for those kinds of rich connections at Westminster in all of our children’s and youth programs. After our vacation Bible school (Barefoot School) this past summer I spent time r…
A few weekends ago some Westminster church members volunteered with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh to renovate an elderly homeowner’s house in Homewood. It was a hands-on example of how our church makes a concrete difference in people’s lives locally. Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh is an impactful nonprofit that works in select communities to make homes safer and healthier for low-income elderly or …
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4) There are certain traditions that just scream Christmas. For as much as I am spontaneous and adventurous, I also really revel in patterns and…
