Tag Archives: Advent

Love Helps Us Remember… and Forget

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In “Love Helps Us Remember… and Forget,” the author reflects on his first Christmas without his parents, exploring how love reshapes memory—softening pain while preserving what truly mattered. Through childhood Christmas recollections, a recent prolonged power outage, and the quiet paradox of the manger, the post reveals how God’s love reframes brokenness, power, and grief. Christmas is shown not as a display of force, but as the arrival of divine love through humility. Readers are invited to trust a God whose gentleness is stronger than domination, and whose love remembers us not by our failures, but by who we are becoming. Continue reading →

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In the Midst of It All, Rejoice

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In “In the Midst of It All, Rejoice,” the author reflects on the biblical nature of joy—distinct from happiness and often found not after hardship, but within it. Drawing from Isaiah’s Advent prophecy, Paul’s conversion from darkness to light, and personal moments of faith, loss, and redirection, the post explores how true joy emerges when we recognize our need for Christ and trust His guidance through life’s winding paths. With the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as a musical metaphor, readers are reminded that even quiet, trembling, minor-key rejoicing is still real joy—because the Light has come, and the darkness will not win. Continue reading →

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The Time Between

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

“The Time Between” invites readers to reflect on the sacred tension Christians inhabit between Christ’s first arrival and His promised return. Drawing from Delighting in Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu and the Advent themes of Hope and Peace, the post explores what it means to live in this “now and not yet” world—where victory has been won but not fully realized. Through Scripture, reflection, and prayer, readers are encouraged to anchor their hearts in Christ’s promises, embrace His peace amid the world’s chaos, and live as bearers of light during the Advent season. The post concludes with thoughtful questions for personal reflection throughout the week. Continue reading →

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Eternity in Our Hearts

Posted on November 30, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Life “under the sun” often feels fleeting, frustrating, and hard to grasp—like vapor slipping through our fingers. But Ecclesiastes reveals that this ache we feel is not a flaw in us, nor a failure in God’s design. It’s intentional. God has placed eternity in our hearts, causing us to long for something beyond the temporary concerns that consume us. When we understand that truth, our priorities shift. We stop chasing wind. We start embracing gratitude. And we anchor our hope in the God who stepped into time through Jesus to satisfy the eternal longing inside us. As Thanksgiving gives way to Advent, Ecclesiastes invites us to enjoy the gifts of today, let go of what won’t last, and set our hearts on the eternal life already breaking into our world through Christ. Continue reading →

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The Peace of Christmas

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

As we move through the Advent season, one of the most profound gifts we are invited to reflect on is peace. Yet, if we’re honest, Christmas often feels like anything but peaceful. Between the demands of shopping, family gatherings, and … Continue reading →

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The Hope of Christmas

Posted on December 1, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Introduction As we enter the season of Advent, we often find ourselves surrounded by messages of hope. It’s in the lights decorating our homes, the songs playing in stores, and even in the wishes of good cheer exchanged between neighbors. … Continue reading →

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Running Away from God

Posted on December 17, 2023 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

This past week in the Daily Audio Bible, we read the book and story of Jonah, the reluctant and annoyed prophet of God. It’s a famous story and a short book, so I won’t recap it here. Also, there are … Continue reading →

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We Couldn’t Get to God, So God Came to Us

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Christianity is the only world religion that doesn’t subscribe to the belief that followers can achieve enlightenment or some other sort of oneness with God by behaving in just the right way. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s the … Continue reading →

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Is it Too Early to Celebrate Christmas?

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

On my morning walk a couple of days ago, I saw that one of my neighbors has started putting up their outdoor Christmas decorations. This got me wondering if it’s too early to start celebrating Christmas. Of course, there’s no … Continue reading →

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Advent – Prince of Peace On Earth Be with You

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

On this second of four Sundays in Advent, I wanted to start with a title to this post that will hopefully make you think a little bit–a mashup of three different sentiments about peace. We are probably so familiar with … Continue reading →

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