Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Christmas

A Christmas Kind of Faith (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 36)

December 24, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

What's an Epiphany?

I don’t know if you have noticed, but we tend toward a Good Friday kind of faith. Even on Christmas. You see it in Christmas ornaments featuring crosses. It always strikes me most strongly when we sing the Appalachian Christmas Carol, “I Wonder as I Wander”: I wonder as I wander out under the sky, […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Appalachian Christmas Carol, Christmas, heidelberg catechism

The Secret to Living Comfortably in Stressful Times (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 1)

December 18, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Christmas is a week away. The stress level is getting a tad high. We long for just a few comfortable moments. Actually living in comfort seems way out of reach. There is the front burner stuff: shopping wrapping, cooking, parties. Or maybe it is the opposite front burner stuff: no money to shop with nobody […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Comfort, heidelberg catechism, Isaiah 40, Question 1

Yes, Children, There Is a Santa Claus. Really.

December 6, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 21 Comments

When I was a pastor, one Sunday in Advent I called the kids forward for the children’s sermon. I told my three-to-seven-year-old congregation Today I’m going to tell you the truth about Santa Claus. Usually the kids were pretty wriggly. This time the parents were squirming. Here is what I told them. Long, long ago, […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Saints Tagged With: Advent, Bishop Nicholas, Children's Sermons, Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus

Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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