The Weekend – 11-30-24 – Non-Members

November 27, 2024
CT Weekly

weekend reads

Tomorrow marks the first Sunday of Advent. This December, we’ll be publishing new reporting, reflections, and devotional entries to carry you through to Christmas. But there’s also plenty of older work in the Christianity Today archives worth returning to at this time of year. 

A few of our staff favorites: Eugene Peterson on Christmas without a tree, Esau McCaulley on hope for the fatherless, and Fleming Rutledge on why the Apocalypse is essential for Advent.

weekend listen

From our recent archives: A closer look at the perennial Christmas classic “Mary Did You Know?,” a report on Messiah sings, the history of lessons and carols, and a collection of African Christmas hits.

Plus: This year’s best new Christmas music releases.

editors’ picks

Kate Shellnutt, editorial director, news: The Christmas Promise: A True Story from the Bible about God’s Forever King, is just the kind of actually Christian kids book that you want to give and read to the little ones in your life at the holidays. It’s got elements that make it fun to read (the “whoosh!” of the angels coming) but also cares about biblical accuracy (portraying Jesus as a kid and no longer in the manger when the wise men arrive).

Emily Belz, staff writer: With Quincy Jones’s recent passing, it’s a good time to listen to an under-the-radar but all-time-great Christmas album he produced, Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

Bonnie Kristian, editorial director, ideas & books: I make this toffee annually.

prayers of the people


PAID CONTENT FROM GLOO

This article is brought to you by Gloo, a trusted innovator in digital tools created to support churches. Explore their free texting service to start using these strategies today, or…


more from CT

The Incarnation exists for the Atonement, but it is also so much more. 

I picture a sweet, clean Nativity scene. But Jesus chose to come to a dirty, broken world. 

Church structures and schedules often make it hard for the working class to participate.

Let’s change that.

The looming new year can be anxiety-inducing—but God has all the mercy, grace, and rest we need. 


IN THE MAGAZINE

As this issue hits your mailboxes after the US election and as you prepare for the holidays, it can be easy to feel lost in darkness. In this issue, you’ll read of the piercing light of Christ that illuminates the darkness of drug addiction at home and abroad, as Angela Fulton in Vietnam and Maria Baer in Portland report about Christian rehab centers. Also, Carrie McKean explores the complicated path of estrangement and Brad East explains the doctrine of providence. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt shows us how art surprises, delights, and retools our imagination for the Incarnation, while Jeremy Treat reminds us of an ancient African bishop’s teachings about Immanuel. Finally, may you be surprised by the nearness of the “Winter Child,” whom poet Malcolm Guite guides us enticingly toward. Happy Advent and Merry Christmas.

THE WEEKEND FROM CHRISTIANITY TODAY

The Weekend delivers the best content from Christianitytoday.com to your inbox each week.

Delivered free via email to subscribers weekly. Sign up for this newsletter.

You are currently subscribed as no email found. Sign up to more newsletters like this. Manage your email preferences  or unsubscribe.

Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Christianity Today” and “CT” are the registered trademarks of Christianity Today International.

Copyright ©2024 Christianity Today, PO Box 788, Wheaton, IL 60187-0788 
All rights reserved.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube