Entries by Kevin Ireland

God Loves Hugs

God Loves Hugs Christmas Story 2025 It was a tradition in the church that I grew up in for the pastor to tell a story on Christmas Eve. In that spirit I’d like to share a story with you that I wrote a long time ago when my kids where little. It’s based loosely on […]

Ah-ha Moments of Grace

Dear friends, Christmas is not a single day on the calendar but a season that unfolds, and this Sunday we arrive at one of its great turning points: Epiphany. The word Epiphany means “appearance” or “manifestation.” Around the world, Christians celebrate it on January 6, twelve days after Christmas Day. In many countries it is […]

Christ is born! Let us glorify him!

This ancient Christian greeting echoes across centuries, reminding us that Christmas is not a moment to rush past, but a mystery to dwell within. As early as 567 A.D., the church formally set aside the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany as a sacred and festive season. Advent was understood as a time of fasting […]

Love in the Midst of Fear

Love in the Midst of Fear Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 41:5-10 Of all of the characters in the Christmas story, Joseph is probably the most overlooked. He is mute in our scriptures. He never utters a word. So it is helpful to imagine what he might say and to contemplate how he might have felt. The […]

Standing Room Only and Full of Grace

Dear Friends at Grace, This past week, I found myself grinning almost the entire evening as I had the joy of participating in the Jacob’s Learning Ladder Christmas program. I had the honor of accompanying on guitar while our preschoolers sang familiar carols, and the Christmas story was shared by their teachers and lovingly acted […]