Winter 1989

Volume IV, Number 4

In This Issue

• Herod by David Hawkinson

  Christmas really is a wondrous time. I like the whole of it. Tradition has chipped in to help stage the drama with characters that have become so familiar they feel like family, living in the creche on the mantle above the fireplace.

• Waldenstrom's Commentary Matthew 2:13-23 and Waldenström's Commentary by Paul Peter Waldenström and translated by Tommy Carlson

• The Wisdom Tradition and Matthew's Magi by Peter Sandstrom

  The Gospel of Matthew tells of the coming of wise men from the East, looking for the newborn king of the Jews. The gospel writer also uses this story to tell us of the wisdom tradition related to the heritage, life, and teaching of Jesus and asks us to ponder that theme as we consider Jesus' birth.

• What The Evangelical Covenant Church Believes About God by Glen Wiberg

  Sermon delivered at Salem Covenant Church, September 24, 1989, New Brighton, Minnesota

• Erik Jakob Ekman, A Prayer by Erik Jakob Ekman and translated by Graig Nordstrom

  O Lord, our God, we thank you for opening the way into the sanctuary. We thank you that we live in a kingdom in which sin can actually be taken away.

• All That We Are by Hazel Sloan

  "It's ninety-six degrees with one hundred percent humidity," the weather forecaster announced. I turned off the TV, wondering if the hot temperature would disrupt my rest during the night.

• Joseph's Considerations by Penrod

  Joseph did not know Mary very well yet but he knew he loved her. He was deeply attracted by her youth and beauty and he was happy that the betrothal had been arranged. She was from a good family and her parents were satisfied that Joseph would be the proper husband for their daughter. The bride price was fair and that pleased them.

• Poetry All This And Hot Water, Too by Michael Hardin
• Doubts, Handel, and Haydn by Arthur W. Anderson

  Sitting in the balcony of a large church, I seemed to be in heaven listening to a sublime rendition of Handel's Messiah. All of a sudden the craziest thought struck me: "What if this whole thing is a joke and no one is really out there?"

• Out and About

  North Park Philosophy Academy, 1989; Church Planting Pietist Style; The Rolling Stones; Sport Report

• Sport Prophecy by Eric

  Here are my NBA picks for this season. Division winners: Boston, Detroit, Utah, and Los Angeles. Other teams to watch for in the playoffs will be Phoenix, Cleveland, New York, and Chicago.

• Post: Readers Respond
• Poetry To What Serves Mortal Beauty? by Gerard Manley Hopkins