Advent – Sarah Dixon Young

Christ’s Gift

An old ornament hangs on my tree. It says, “Baby’s First Christmas 1983.” My first Christmas happened a long time ago, and I don’t remember any gift or event from that day. However, Christ’s Gift only grows more poignant and memorable with time. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” John wrote. Christmas DayContinue reading “Christ’s Gift”

The Three R’s of Peace

An Excerpt from “Receive Him: A Disciple’s Advent” Philippians 4:4-6; Luke 2:22-40 Anna had many reasons to grumble, complain, and lament. She had been married young, but after only seven years, her husband died leaving her alone and childless. In her day and time, there was no way she could provide for herself. How wouldContinue reading “The Three R’s of Peace”

Paul’s Peace

When my grandmother passed away, I inherited a unique Kurdish kilim. It is a woven hall runner with intricately made designs. When I turn it over to clean, I am always amazed at the tangles of knots and thread on the back. The artisans who weave kilims have an amazing skill. Psalm 139 tells usContinue reading “Paul’s Peace”

James’s Joy

One of the last things Jesus told His disciples before His crucifixion was, “When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow that her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also youContinue reading “James’s Joy”

John’s Love

The disciple John chose a nickname for himself: the disciple whom Jesus loved. He defined himself by the love of Jesus. He knew what love was because He had known Jesus. When a woman finds out that she is expecting a baby, she often starts eating differently, exercising differently, and planning differently. You can tellContinue reading “John’s Love”

Peter’s Hope

1 Pet. 1:3, Mark 14:66-72, Lamentations 3:16-26 Believe it or not, a lot of people disagree on when an unborn baby is alive. Even with all our technology that shows fetal development and heartbeat, society still wrestles with the question of when a baby is a living person. In his book Discovering Design with Biology,Continue reading “Peter’s Hope”

Awaiting the Birth

The wonder of birth is wrapped up in waiting. As we wait for a baby to be born, he or she is growing inside of mother’s womb. There’s a lot that happens in that time of waiting. By day 22, the baby has a heartbeat. On day 42, you might find the baby hiccuping andContinue reading “Awaiting the Birth”

Made Visible

When Dr. Ian Donald was drafted into the Royal Air Force as a medical officer in 1942, he had no idea how the Lord would use the knowledge he gained using sonar and radar. In 1946, he was discharged from military service and awarded for his bravery during the war. He returned to practicing medicine.Continue reading “Made Visible”