“The older you get, the faster the time goes.” Those were the words of my grandmother at the beginning of a new year when I was just a boy.

A new year is transition. The date changes. Some of us will mess up writing a check a time or two because we’ll write 2024 until it finally sinks in that we are in a new year. 

Should Christians make New Year’s resolutions? While no such biblical requirement is explicit, Scripture does admonish us to contemplate our lives and commit them to the Lord (Prov 16:9). We are told to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2) and to put our immoralities to death (Col. 3:5) while pursuing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12).

PLAINS, Ga. — Georgia’s most visible and influential citizen has died at age 100. Jimmy Carter lived a long, full, and meaningful life. He will be missed by people all over the world. His accomplishments since his presidency have perhaps been even more significant than what he accomplished while in the White House.

A man brought to Jesus his daughter who “had an unclean spirit.” Jesus told the man, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). The child’s father tearfully cried out to Christ, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24).

As a new year unfolds, take a moment to reflect on these words from Paul, “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13 NASB). Dividing that verse into thirds, take a moment to focus on the following.

Regardless of how enjoyable or exasperating Christmas shopping may be for you, the delight one feels when observing the recipient open their present is irreplaceable. The true reward, however, is the opportunity to select a gift that accurately expresses your love for the recipient.

After Jesus healed a blind man and fed thousands of people with little food, He asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” (Mark 8:27). They gave various answers and then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29).

I recently received a text message from a dear Georgia Baptist pastor friend who indicated that his son who was once an avowed conservative, announced that he was an atheist, embracing a leftist ideology and exclaiming, “I can no longer pretend that I don’t care about something that I do care about. I will no longer be in touch.”

No story can match the Christmas story.  Mary was just an ordinary girl but she was special in the eyes of God. She was someone God knew he could choose to enter the world as the baby Jesus. Mary and husband to be Joseph followed the leadership of God and were willing vessels to be used of God. 

One of the things I enjoy most about Christmas is the old movies that help put me in the seasonal spirit. And though there are many I like, my all-time favorite is Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The best part about the film is the music, composed by Irving Berlin.

The United States is a representative republic. This means that our government exists to protect and represent the interests of the people. Officials are elected to office based on their beliefs and policy positions when they run for office.

In 1925, the Southern Baptist Convention convened in Memphis, Tenn. At that momentous meeting, messengers made two decisions with far-reaching consequences. First, they adopted the Baptist Faith and Message. Second, they launched the Cooperative Program as a unified funding strategy for Southern Baptist ministries. In remarks to the SBC Executive Committee earlier this year, SBC President Clint Pressley rightly referred to the Baptist Faith and Message and the Cooperative Program as the “two rails” of the Southern Baptist Convention.

A century ago, the famed Christian apologist G.K. Chesterton lamented, “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder.”  Indeed. Astonishing realities, even miracles, are all around us, but our recognition of and appreciation for the admirable is often lacking. Such is the case with the familiar details of Christmas.

How’s your Christmas shopping going? Need some suggestions? Neiman-Marcus, the luxury department store, has some “extraordinary gifts” listed on their website for those searching for last-minute ideas.

What’s the worst thing to be in a Baptist church? The third verse of a hymn. Everyone just inherently knows not to sing that one.

Revelation is the most intriguing book in the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote about a world that groans and travails for an understanding of where history is headed. Some read the book to try to satisfy their curiosity. Others avoid it because of its frightening judgments and ominous pronouncements.

Of all the things on our wish lists for Christmas each year, being home for the holidays with the people we love ranks at the top for most. So profound is the desire that we sing about it: I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me, Please have snow and mistletoe, And presents under the tree. . . . I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams. 

People struggle from the end of November to the beginning of January. The holidays are difficult. Unrealistic expectations clash with cold hard realities. Everyone around us is pretending and projecting the same false narrative –“All is merry and bright.”

Because this year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the most important offering in the history of the International Mission Board, I am asking every church to give 10% more to the IMB this year than you gave last year. If every church raises their giving by just 10%, we can fully support our Southern Baptist missionaries already on the field and those who are in the application process.

Do you recall the scene from “The Sound of Music” when Captain Von Trapp is transformed from a tyrannical, overbearing father to a loving one? Von Trapp, a widower and military man, is raising seven children with an iron fist until Maria, an aspiring nun from the local abbey brings music back into their home. With one song—“The Sound of Music”—his life is changed, and his joy is restored.

Wendy’s launched an advertising campaign in 1984 featuring 81-year-old Clara Peller. Upon being served a small hamburger patty on a large bun, this elderly manicurist/beautician asks, “Where’s the beef?”

Though it’s been several years ago now, I still remember one of the more exciting trips to St. Jude Hospital with my son during his battle with childhood leukemia. Back in those days, we lived in Mobile, Ala., requiring us to fly for weekly chemotherapy in Memphis. Over a three-year period, we made 128 consecutive trips in order to jumpstart and protect my son’s remission from cancer.

The Christmas season is an excellent opportunity for small groups to deepen connections, grow in Christlikeness, and show the love of Jesus to their communities. With the right focus and activities, your small groups can become a space for your church community to experience the true meaning of Christmas. Here are seven ways to make your small group memorable this season!

I love hearing and singing the music of Christmas. Topping my “favorites” are “Oh Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night,” and the traditional carols we grew up with.