Nazareth is a small town on the outskirts of the Galilee region. Matthew tells us it is Joseph who makes his home with Mary and Jesus in Nazareth, but we can’t help but think about this on a bigger scale. In Jesus, God literally makes God’s home on earth in a small town, among ordinary people. What began as an almost unbelievable tale - complete with heralding angels and kings from far away lands bearing expensive gifts - continues in a no-frills, inconsequential town filled with...

There’s a phrase in Isaiah 35 that sticks out to me. Isaiah says, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing;” (and here’s the phrase) “everlasting joy shall be upon their heads .” The question I have been asking is, What does it mean for everlasting joy to be upon our heads? When I went rooting around in the stories of Scripture, two images emerged. The first is of a pitcher full of joy being poured out. So much joy is poured into our lives that it fills us...

There is at least one thing, however, about the season of Advent that I don’t think we should overlook - and that is the honesty of the season.