One of our Christmas traditions is reading an Advent devotional—often Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift  or a Jesse Tree guide—and hanging the corresponding ornaments on the tree. The Jesse Tree traces the story of Scripture, showing how, from the very beginning, God was making a way for us. A way for His Son to come. A way for the Savior to arrive. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse” (Is. 11:1). Before Isaiah speaks of a shoot, he shows us a forest leveled by judgment:...

It’s a joy to share a handful of my favourite books from this past year—stories and studies that shaped my thinking, deepened my faith, and sparked fresh wonder. Whether you’re a steady reader or someone who picks up a book whenever life allows, I hope you’ll discover something here that encourages you. For Those Looking for the Beauty of the Church Despite Her Imperfections *Broken But Beautiful: Reflections on the Blessings of the Local Church Last year, Gospel-Centered Discipleship ran a...

I already feel late to Christmas. My sister put her tree up right after Canadian Thanksgiving. Holiday ads flood Sunday football. Gift wrap, Christmas sweaters, and advent calendars line the first hundred feet of Superstore. Our workplace held its Christmas banquet last week. A trip tucked into the last month likely distracted me from all the buildup. But now, arriving home—trading African sands for a dusting of snow—I realize the first week of Advent has arrived, and I feel behind. The...