By Randy C. Davis
President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board
Just yesterday, a friend showed me the gift he’d gotten his mother for Christmas. It’s unique, encouraging and it will surprise her socks off. Few people have seen the gift he’s giving and I’m so excited about it because I know she’ll love it. I wish I could share what it is, but I can’t. It’s a secret.
Christmas is a time for secrets.
My favorite Christmas story involves a secret. Luke 2:25-26 reads, “ And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him, and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
During a period of spiritual dryness in the life of God’s people, this faithful servant maintained the worship rituals embracing the sure word of the Lord that the long-awaited Christ would soon arrive. Heaven would be invading earth. The expectancy of the promise filled this faithful servant’s heart with hope. [Read more…]
Several years ago, I watched a group of kindergarten children sing “Silent Night” in an assisted living center. With angelic faces and sparkling eyes, these 5-year-old little ones had memorized the first stanza of this beautiful old Christmas hymn. Watching the faces of those in the audience, I saw eyes brimming with tears … perhaps remembering Christmas past when their own children had been in a church program. Or, recalling their own childhood when their family had gone out together and cut a tree from the family farm. 
One of the great words in the English language is the word “hope.” I Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
NASHVILLE — Almost all Americans celebrate Christmas, but most say COVID-19 will cause some changes to their usual holiday habits.
Christmas celebrations may look a little different this year for many Tennessee families as they deal with the reality of COVID-19.
Who hijacked Christmas? I went to the store recently and was greeted by aisles of Christmas trees, toys, decorations, lighting and yard displays. In one small section there were a few mangers with baby Jesus along with Joseph and Mary and some sheep. Another with the wise men offering gifts to the messiah.