Adam and I are celebrating our 1st Christmas as a married couple a day before the holiday festivities begin at our churches and families’ homes… by starting some new traditions.

Together, we are going to make our own nativity, one piece at a time… this year is baby Jesus.

We are also going to begin a holiday tradition of family talent shows thanks to a comment by one of our favorite educators, Dr. Brooke Lester.

This morning, as we sat down to think of our newly created Barlow-Thompson traditions, I turned on the boob-tube. Alas, one of my favorite re-runs was on: Roseanne. Indeed, I was sucked in. So much so that the all-day Roseanne marathon remained on all morning as we relaxed, played with the dog and devised our special 1st Christmas extravaganza together…. [Read more →]

I must admit I am blogausted (suppose to sound like exhausted).  It is difficult coming up with ideas for the gigantic (I lie) audience on our blog.  So for something completely different. Ashley and I had a debate last night.  Best Christmas movie EVER!  My favorite, Elf.  Ashley’s, Muppet’s Christmas Carol.  Check out the poll below, it has what I consider the ten best (in no particular order).  If you think I missed one feel free to write in suggestions in the comments section.

[poll id="3"]

Will your pageant be AWESOME or AWFUL?

Angels and Shepherds and Kings, Oh My! Ah yes, Pageant season is “all up ons”.

As I sit down to write the script for our church’s annual Christmas pageant, I am reminded that a lot of work goes into re-creating the Christmas story. Every year I wonder why the children, youth, parents and Christian Educator spend so much time on this one event, indeed the whole of Advent culminates with our Pageant. Why?

Sometimes I wonder if it is all worth it, but deep down I think the Christmas Pageant, in all its glory, is one of the best events, indeed ministries, of the Holiday season. The pageant tells the story of the birth of Christ, it allows the children to lead and to shine, and allows the congregation to connect in ways they don’t on a normal Sunday morning. The pageant is a great ministry, but it doesn’t always seem that way.

Should the Advent season be the “Pageant Season?”…….

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