
Finally, We Can Be At Peace
When I was 12 years old, I wanted a BMX bike for Christmas. My brother had a cool BMX bike. Brenden down the street had a cool BMX bike. And I knew that I would not be at peace until I came down into the living room on Christmas Day and saw that bike by the tree. However, after every single gift was opened that year, there was still no bike. I tried to hide my disappointment. But then, my mom and dad said, "Toby, I think we might have one more gift for you. Why don't you go l

Angels, Advent, and Anticipation: A Christmas Story
A passage peculiar to the Gospel of Luke involves the light of the glory of God filling the darkened air as angels evangelize a field of shepherds. "Fear not," exhorted the first angel to appear, "for behold, I bring to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And sudde

Christmas Around the World
In 2016, Riviera KIDS has sought to create a global worldview for their students. We have done so by introducing students to a variety of cultures and countries, and families who work in those countries. What a better way to showcase the Christmas season to than to look at the way a few of those countries celebrate the holiday! Given that 90% of the population of Thailand are Buddhist, the Christian holiday of Christmas is not an official holiday. However, with the high rate

Christmas Music and Keeping Your Holiday Season Focused
Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone - but it’s especially busy for the worship director. Have you ever tried making a list of all the classic Christmas songs everyone likes to sing? Everyone has a different favorite, and there are so many of them that make people say, “It’s not really Christmas without this one!” Well, I tried to make a comprehensive list. Let’s just say, it’s long and perpetually incomplete. There are always more songs that can be added. For exampl