When guests came bearing treasures

A first-person retelling of the visit of the Magi. I was sweeping the corner near the door when I heard the sound of hooves outside. Not the quick clatter of local animals, but the slower stately clop, of large beasts bearing heavy loads. We had been in Bethlehem for some time. Joseph worked at his …

For Venezuela, itโ€™s always about oil

Venezuelaโ€™s political history since 1950 has been profoundly shaped by oil. In the mid-20th century, Venezuela tentatively emerged from decades of often chaotic military rule. The pivotal turning point came in 1958, when a popular uprising โ€” joined by business leaders, students, and military factions โ€” overthrew the authoritarian regime of Marcos Pรฉrez Jimรฉnez. His …

The first place was a voice

No galaxies, no sun, no Earth, no oceans, no flora or fauna, no history, no you or me. Only the living God, who is Spirit.ย The Bible begins with this breathtaking sentence: โ€œIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earthโ€ (Genesis 1:1). Those words serve as a doorway through which every conscientious reader of …

Carried by grace

What kind of year has it been? What have you learned? How have your challenges shaped you? How have you grown and changed? How would you personally rate the year 2025 on a scale of 1-10? For me, this year has been one of new experiences and new learning. I have been enlightened and inspired …

10 benefits of recalling the yearโ€™s meaningful events

1. Strengthens identity Recalling past experiences reinforces our sense of who we are and how weโ€™ve grown through the year. 2. Strengthens relationships Sharing memories with others helps to builds connection, empathy, and mutual understanding. 3. Encourages goal-setting Reviewing the past year clarifies personal priorities and guides our decision-making for the future. 4. Boosts mood …