New Year Traditions

New Year Traditions

Even if staying up until midnight isn’t your cup of tea, it seems that recently especially, ushering in a new year has been therapeutic for many. No, our lives don’t magically change when the calendars do, but there is something cathartic about a fresh start. Some people have wonderful things to look forward to in 2022 like growing their family, starting a new job, finishing school, etc., while others just wish to end 2021 because it was hard. Either way, if you’re looking to have a fresh start in 2022, Here are some ideas on how to usher in a new year.

Immanuel, God With Us

Immanuel, God With Us

“Immanuel, God with us,” is without question one of the most beautiful, life altering, hope inspiring phrases in the entire world of words. It was an Old Testament prophecy foretelling of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14), a fulfilled reality testified to in the New Testament (Matthew 1:20-23), and it has been our church's theme the entire month of December. It is also one of my favorite names of Jesus.

Christmas Traditions at Council Road

Christmas Traditions at Council Road

The first Candlelight Service at Council Road was in 1970, when I was six years old. Fred Wilhoite, our first pastor, was a kind, older gentleman, and I remember children like me were naturally drawn to him. The tradition of children climbing onto the stage for the Christmas story didn’t start until years later. About 12 years ago, Norman had a wonderful idea to begin writing and publishing our own children’s books for that service, with each child getting to take one home.

Thank You, Lord, For Your Constance

Thank You, Lord, For Your Constance

We are focusing on qualities of God we are most thankful for on the blog this month. If you’re like me, though, it’s tough to dial it down to just one characteristic. His faithfulness, mercy, and grace would top my list for sure. The comfort of the Holy Spirit and peace He brings are irreplaceable, and the way He knows and loves us is enough to bring tears to my eyes. He is just so good, and I am just so thankful for Him.

Thank You, Lord, For Your Faithfulness

Thank You, Lord, For Your Faithfulness

Faithfulness is a word often used, but rarely defined in Christian circles. A quick google search will tell you that faithfulness is a firm or even unfailing devotion. It’s hard to believe that God is firmly devoted to us, though, when we’re in the midst of a difficult circumstance that he could miraculously change, yet doesn’t. What if God’s faithfulness is not primarily a statement describing his relationship to us, but a character quality of himself?

Thank You, Lord, for Your Holiness

Thank You, Lord, for Your Holiness

I pre-ordered Jackie Hill Perry’s latest book, Holier Than Thou, as soon as I heard about it. I knew I would like it and I did. JHP, as I affectionately call her, is one of my favorite people to learn from. She is unfussy, poetic, truthful, and not once has she called me her “friend,” which I find altogether endearing and hard to find amongst female Christian authors. (No offense, I just have never met these people so I don’t know why they call me their friend when I’m just trying to read their books.)

Thank You, Lord, for Your Generosity

Thank You, Lord, for Your Generosity

Have you ever been the recipient of something beautifully simple, of which you never expected to receive? I have. It was the dress my sister bought for me when my bank account was literally in the negative. It was the joy of seeing the second bowl of watery potato soup my first ever house guests partook in. It was the bouquet of flowers from my family delivered to my office on the day I resigned from the job I loved. It was a kind message from an old friend after he read my vulnerable Instagram post. It was the picture my dad took of me on the beach that made me feel special amid the couples’ photo sessions.

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