By Dr. Scott Rodin | There are many words and phrases that carry Christmas messages. Whether sacred or secular, they conjure up memories from the whimsical to the holy. The Christmas season is filled with them. Joy to the World. Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. Silent Night. It’s a Wonderful Life. White Christmas. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Hark, the Harold Angels Sing. These Christmas themes are nostalgic and heartwarming, a welcome relief from the relentless words and images that depict the increasing madness of the world in which we celebrate this Christmas season. Amidst the breadth of Christmas words, I want to suggest there is one phrase that transcends all others. Not only this Christmas season, but from the dawn of time until Christ’s return. It marked the single most important event in human history. It is a simple phrase with cosmic consequences. Isaiah prophesied it first. It was confirmed by an angel with Mary and its promise consoled Joseph. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14) Three words. Three powerful words. On them hinges the fate of the world. If we believe them, if we have the radical faith to really believe that Christmas marks the unthinkable, audacious idea that the God of the universe, the creator and sustainer of all things, actually came to earth and bore our flesh, our brokenness, our fear, our pride, our shallowness, our fickleness, our doubts, our shame, all of it, if we really believe it, if we can even begin to comprehend it, if we will let it seep deep into our spirit, then those three words will change us forever. God with us.

By Dr. Scott Rodin | As you read these first few words of this blog, something is ruling in your heart. Right now, something has a hold of you and its reign is dominating your thoughts, your emotions, and your attitude. What has dominion in your heart at this moment? ... read on