A couple of years ago now, towards the end of the Covid-19 restrictions, along-time member of a church I once served wrote a very thoughtful letter, lamenting the fact that she was losing the sense of wonder as the Christmas season approached.

I have been asked over the past months, “what are the ten most important books you have read – beyond the Bible – that have kept your soul going over the past fifty years of discipleship and ministry?”

As far as I am concerned there is no more thrilling time of the year to be called to preach than during the Christmas season. I suppose part of the reason is, frankly, sentimental. There simply is no season of the year like the Christmas season: the candles, the music, the decorations, the parties, the food, and, yes, the presents. But without doubt the biggest reason for the thrill is the Story we read, and indwell, and tell, and sing during the Christmas season.

Today we remember that on August 28, 1963, in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., before a crowd of some 250,000 people, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his now world-famous 'I Have A Dream' speech.

During the past days and weeks, many believers (and many not-yet believers!) have been praying over the alarming, disarming, disorienting, and for many folks, frightening phenomenon of the coronavirus pandemic, and its associated disease, COVID-19.

I have been asked by various preachers, what I would preach in light of what governments worldwide have been doing to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

A couple of days ago, on two different occasions, trusted ministry partners shared with me that current research reveals that upwards of 60% of pastors in North America are considering leaving pastoral ministry. I woke up this morning with this fact, or observation, on my mind and heart, and during morning devotions wondered if I could speak a word to any of you wrestling along such lines.

I thought I would share two sermons, one from Christmas Eve and one from Christmas Day, this Christmas season as an encouragement to all of you who will be preaching on that ‘Holy Night.’

Christmas is coming, and I can hardly wait! It is, for me, the most “wonder” filled time of the year. Filled with “wonder” that the Creator of all things should choose to become one of His creatures.