Christmas

Life in Whoville

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. Luke 15:23 ESV

I can really identify with this father’s enthusiasm for celebrating. In the same way some folks wondered about his excitement on the return of the prodigal, my wife and some of the neighbors are questioning my exuberance for Christmas decorating in early November. Yes, my I am the guy whose candy-cane lane is already in place, before the leftover Halloween candy is even eaten. But my reasoning is that if the stores can put out their holiday wares right after Labor Day, why do I have to wait any longer? Am I the only one out there? So, in that spirit, though it might seem a tad early, I am featuring my large print Christmas devotional today. And before you scold me for the impropriety of the timing on this offer, remember that this book is a thirty-day plan and that it will take some time before your copy arrives. This large-print holiday devotional is designed for those of us whose vision has become a little less than eagle-eyed.

Just as the story of the wisemen does not begin with their background – it starts with a star, this series of short devotionals begins with that star, which can still lead us to Jesus. Each day includes a Bible verse and a short simple story that shows how the birth of Jesus still shines a light on the path for our daily lives today. The Christmas Star is available in both a Kindle eBook form as well as softcover.

God’s Christmas

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
Without the Father's giving
There's no gift for me today
Without the Christ's descending
The manger holds but hay
Without the Spirit's shadow
Mary's womb would empty be
But by the Lamb of Bethlehem
God's Christmas came to me!

God's Christmas
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2025

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have ever lasting life. John 3:16

Go! Tell it on the Mountain!

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 NIV

I will bet that you have never heard the above verse read during a Christmas service. But what the shepherds did after going down to see baby Jesus in the manger, is exactly what this scripture is all about! Those shepherds didn’t need an evangelism course; they simply couldn’t wait to tell everyone that night in Bethlehem that “Jesus Christ is born!” This anonymous hymn sung in many African American churches during the middle 1800’s was eventually published and arranged by John Wesley Work Jr. in 1901. Though its words and melody are simple it is deservedly as well-loved as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, written by another Wesley (Charles). I do hope you will enjoy listening to our precious residents singing along and that perhaps you will join in and “Go tell it on the mountain!”