NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 STORIES

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ELIZABETH—The other woman in the Christmas story 
She is the other woman in the Christmas story. Like Mary, her better-known relative, she also found herself unexpectedly with child. Luke’s Gospel tells us the little we know of her and her country priest husband. But it’s enough for Lindsey Gallant to find inspiration in this elderly, righteous prophetess named Elizabeth. Read more.

UNDONE BY JOY—Remembering my first Christmas alone 
Christmas is not a universally happy time, even for Christians. After a loss had left her cold and comfortless, Bonnie Beldan-Thomson took a risk and went to church. She ended up leaving in tears. There are many different stories that bring people to a Christmas Eve service. This is hers. [Full content available to subscribers.]

MORE THAN A FISHY TALE—An award-winning children’s book teaches some beautiful lessons 
When her Grade 5 teacher asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up, Irish said she wanted to write. It’s been a long and at times messy journey, but Irish Beth Maddock is finally doing just that. Her children’s book, The Great Carp Escape, is more than just an award-winning story; it’s also her story. [Full content available to subscribers.]

THE MISSION ON MY STREET—When love comes back around 
Kimberley Parker was simply looking for some surrogate family to stand in for her real family living half a world away. In the process she learned a lot about loving God, loving neighbours and—to her surprise—being loved in return. [Full content available to subscribers.]

RESTORING THE IMAGE—What does the Jesus life actually look like? 
Take one well-intentioned amateur art restorer, add the words of an aging disciple of Jesus, and stir. What you end up with are the thoughts of Robert Osborne on what it might mean to restore the image of Jesus to our time and place. [Full content available to subscribers.]

THE ODDS OF GOD—A nurse, a licence plate and a baby 
There are some things that happen in life which defy the definition of coincidence. Whether it’s a nurse on the side of an icy highway, a licence plate on the back of an SUV, or a crew of heaven-shocked shepherds in a stable, Bob Jones sees the inexplicable as evidence of God’s care. He calls them “God winks.” Read more.

Departmental Stories

ERDO: CHRISTMAS FEVER—Thoughts on Poverty, Excess and Radical Generosity
"Gift catalogues, like ERDO’s, are born from a desire to honour people you love with a gift; but in a wonderful twist, a person in need receives the physical gift. Instead of another box of chocolates or a tie, the gift of a chicken, a goat or a mosquito net says 'I celebrate you' in a radical way." Learn about the many benefits of giving gifts out of ERDO's Christmas Gift Catalogue, from Carol Froom, ERDO's director of resource development. Read more. 

MISSION CANADA: BEING THE MAGI AMONG NEW IMMIGRANTS—Inviting Your Neighbours to Christmas Celebrations 
Canada received 258,953 new immigrants in 2013, and this number continues to grow. So how can we structure our Christmas celebrations to be inclusive and invitational, welcoming newcomers of all religious backgrounds to Canada? Charles Hermelink, co-ordinator for Mission Canada's Cultural Language Group, offers some recommendations on how to be more inclusive of our neighbours while helping them learn about and celebrate the season at the same time. Read more.

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