Merry Christmas, friends. Today I’ve got an all-Christmas edition of A La Carte for you. Enjoy!
Today’s Kindle deals include a few excellent picks from Crossway themed around biblical theology and systematic theology.
(Yesterday on the blog: A Prayer for a Christian Husband and Wife To Pray Together)

It is good to consider on Christmas that God is with us. And that’s exactly what Blake does here. “What are you currently going through? Has a trial overtaken you? Did an unexpected event capsize your heart and cause you to despair of life? Have you been doubting the Lord because of the death of a loved one? Whatever the occasion, the statement is true: Jesus is with you.”

“When I was in the seventh or eighth grade I asked for a German Shepherd puppy for Christmas. I think I desired that gift more than any other I ever requested as a boy.Dad and Mom told me that I could have a dog if I earned enough ‘puppy points.’” Vance Christie explains what this has to do with the gospel.

“Have you ever noticed the relationship between your expectations and your contentment?” Casey McCall considers this question in light of Christmas.

“‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’  So said the angels to the shepherds at the first Christmas in a land that continues to suffer endless conflict.  ‘Peace in the Middle East’ is such a long-standing pressing need that it has become a cruel joke for a platform in beauty contest satires and other portrayals of impossible aspiration.”

Stephen makes an important point in this article. “Our post-religious age wants to make every day Christmas. Not to elevate all days to that deep, meaningful, purpose-filled day celebrating the greatest gift of all – the Incarnation – but to bring that day down to every other day. When every day is like Christmas then Christmas will be like every day.”

Abigail Rehmert writes about the longing that preceded the first Christmas and the longing that has happened since.

This article is meant especially for those who are overseas for Christmas (and/or for their loved ones).

On this day, I am pondering a lovely quote I found in one of De Witt Talmage’s sermons—a quote that calls us to not only be joyful at Christmas, but to see in Christmas proof that Christianity is a joyful faith. 

Look to Jesus this Christmas. Receive the reconciliation that he bought. Don’t put it on the shelf unopened. And don’t open it and then make it a means to all your other pleasures. Open it and enjoy the gift. Rejoice in him.
—John Piper

Good morning from beautiful Albania. I am here to speak at an event for pastors (today and tomorrow) and to participate in a joint worship service (on Sunday). I am very much looking forward to it!
Westminster Books is offering a free micro course for pastors. It’s worth a look!

“There is a sanctifying characteristic of foreseen grief. It is that way in which even the threat of loss discolours everything; the way in which foreseen grief seems to threaten not just a joy, but all joys, to undermine not just one aspect of life but the ground on which life is set.”

Trevin Wax: “One of the strange ironies of our times: a significant segment of the left pushes back forcefully against the idea of ‘color blindness’ regarding race but demands what amounts to ‘gender blindness’ regarding sex. We’re supposed to assume racial distinctions are inevitable and enduring in most, if not all, interactions in society, while in debates over marriage, relationships, sports, bathrooms, or medicine, justice demands we ignore or minimize the real and meaningful differences between men and women.”

Mary Nolte considers a phenomenon we all may experience: missing years. “We were preparing for our daughter’s wedding when she called me one day in a slight panic, ‘Mom, I have no pictures of myself from 2009-2011! What happened?’”

And just as many have missing years, many also have “too much times.” “Too Much Times are days, weeks, or whole years marked by too many demands, responsibilities, and burdens and not enough internal and external resources to keep all the balls in the air. They often develop in times of sorrow or sickness.”

Ah yes, there is such freedom in both understanding and resting in God’s providence.

Erik Raymond explains how pastoral ministry can be like wearing a weighted vest.

As I journey round the world, I know I need to carry a medical first aid kit with me. As I journey through this life, I know I need the spiritual equivalent. It has served me well and, I trust, will continue to as I plod on in this great pilgrimage.

Oh despise not election! therein lies all your hope, that there is a remnant who shall infallibly be saved.
—Thomas Goodwin

The Bible says nothing about New Year’s resolutions. It does, however, say a lot about resolutions in general—about the determination and resolve to improve our character, to sharpen our habits, and to live better in the future than we did in the past. In other words, the determination and resolve to be more like Christ.

The trouble, of course, is that we can often make resolutions that are inconsistent with God’s purpose for our lives, that are selfish instead of selfless, or that focus on the minutiae while neglecting the weightier matters. For that reason, there is great value in putting a lot of thought and prayer into our resolutions and then attaching them to truth—to making resolutions that are thoughtfully grounded in a Scriptural command, emphasis, or promise. To that end, here are some ideas for those who may be considering making a resolution to guide them in the year to come.

Family

For the one who has been lax in showing spiritual leadership in the home. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

For the wife who has not been loving or respecting her husband. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22–24)

For the husband who has not been loving or cherishing his wife. “Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)

For parents who have been neglecting their duty toward their children. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

For children who have been neglecting the honor they owe their parents. “…Let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” (1 Timothy 5:4)

Devotion

For the person who has been neglecting to read the Bible. “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

For the one who has been drifting back into bad habits. “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27)

Character

For the one who has been lax in pursuing sanctification. You were taught to “…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

For the one who is prone to grumbling. “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15–18)

For the one who has been downcast and not seeking the Lord’s help. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

For the one who has been anxious and not taking those anxieties to the Lord. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

For the one who spent too much of the past year in anger. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26–27)

For the person whose mind is too often filled with things it shouldn’t be. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

For the one who always seems to be in the center of conflict. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18)

For the one who has been convicted about a foul mouth. “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)

For the one who has been abusing substances of any kind. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

For the one who has been neglecting to show love and compassion to “the least of these.” “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.” (Romans 12:16)

For the one who has been struggling with contentment. “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13)

For the one who has not been guarding his words. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

For the one who has been suffering because of the actions of another person. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:14;21)

For the one who has not had an open home. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

For the young Christian. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Vocation

For the one who is convicted about meddling in other people’s affairs. “…we urge you, brothers … to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (1 Thessalonians 4:10–12)

For the one who is laboring for his own glory. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

For the one who has failed to put full effort into his work. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23–24)

Time

For the one who wastes too much time. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16)

For the one who has been giving in to laziness. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

For the one watching too much of the messaging. “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

Relationships

For the one who has felt bitterness settle into her heart. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)

For the one who has been harsh and unforgiving. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

For the one who wishes to impact the unbelievers around her. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6)

For the one prone to comparison. “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

For the one who is prone to treat others with harshness instead of gentleness. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11)

Church

For the one who has been rebellious against pastors. “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

For the person who is quarrelsome within his church. “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

For the one who has been growing distant from his local church. “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

For the one who has grown convicted that he is not loving others in the way he should. “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)