No Room in the Guest Room
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because…
A Most Unnerving Song
For he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;for the Mighty One has done great things for me,and holy is…
Ein Karem
When the angel Gabriel told Mary she was pregnant, she also learned that her older cousin Elizabeth was expecting a child. Now, Mary knew that Elizabeth had longed to have a child …
Joseph Did What the Lord Commanded
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named …
Little Town of Bethlehem
We turn from the story of the Annunciation (the announcement that Mary would have a child) to the story of how Joseph came to know that Mary was pregnant. First, we turn to his…
Travel Notes: Sepphoris and Nazareth
Sepphoris is an old Roman city just three miles from the smaller town of Nazareth. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Sepphoris was a bustling city with a population of thousands. …
Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth?
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The…
Mary’s Hometown: Nazareth
It’s been said that the Holy Land is the fifth Gospel—that in walking its streets and tracing its terrain you have a chance to see the biblical story with fresh eyes…
Give Thanks to the Lord
Happy Thanksgiving! I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. —Psalm 86:12 Blessings to you as you celebrate with…
Introducing WALKING THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM
Two years ago I wrote The Journey, describing and reflecting upon the events leading to the birth of Jesus. It was the second book in my trilogy about the life of Christ, which…