Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Right Under My Nose December 16, 2024 Fear not: for, behold, i bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ~ Luke 2:10 NIV ~ Have you ever looked for something for hours and have it right under your nose? That just happened to me. It was a gift I had wrapped for myself to open this month. I carefully wrapped it in pretty Christmas wrapping ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Hospitality December 15, 2024 Always be eager to practise hospitality. ~ Romans 12:13b NLT ~ It was the week before Christmas, and our young family was asked to take in a foster child, a two-week-old infant. He came with a bare minimum — a grubby bunting bag with a small bottle of milk dampening the corner into which it had been carelessly shoved. The baby's face look ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Celebrating all Twelve: The Twelve Days of Christmas, Part 2 December 13, 2024 We ... have come to worship him... ~ Matthew 2:2 NIV ~ Last Friday, in The Twelve Days of Christmas, Part 1, we learned from the famous Christmas Carol, the Twelve Days of Christmas, that the version of the holiday we celebrate matters! Let's get back to the Shepherd's version: “Where is the one ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Burrs December 11, 2024 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:21 NIV ~ "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 NIV) We had just finished trimming t ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Christmas Kilt December 9, 2024 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ~ 1 Peter 2:9 KJV ~ "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Wisemen December 8, 2024 Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. ~ Matthew 2:2b ESV ~ "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come t ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Version of the Story Matters! The Twelve Days of Christmas, Part 1 December 6, 2024 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ~ Luke 2:11 NIV ~ Most of you are familiar with the popular Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas": On the first day of Christmas My true love gave to m ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Joy to the World the Lord Has Come December 4, 2024 Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. ~ Luke 15:9b ESV ~ "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (Matthew 13:44 ESV) "And when she ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Tiny Tears December 2, 2024 For nothing will be impossible with God. ~ Luke 1:37 ESV ~ My parents usually shopped at the last minute for Christmas gifts. This Christmas Eve was no different to those in prior years.  My Mom always told of a beautiful little "Tiny Tears" doll that caught her eye but the popular little doll with r ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Reason I Drink Eggnog December 1, 2024 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8 NIV ~ Every December I buy a cart ...Continue Reading