Lee Eclov

Okay, confession time: after preaching at least 22 Christmases in a row, I ran out of fresh ideas. Christmas preaching became highly pressurized—say something new, fresh, amazing, funny, deep, and accessible to unchurched people. Whew! That's why I love Lee Eclov's raw honesty in his fabulous skills article—"Caught Between 'Bah, humbug,' and 'God bless us, everyone." Eclov admits that he has to fight his "own Scrooginess for Jesus' sake," but it's all worth it. I hope you see the humor in his journey from Bah to Bless, and I hope you get some marvelously earthy ideas for how to get your own soul ready for the wonder of Jesus' birth.

Ken Shigematsu

The wonder of Christmas is all about the God who took on skin for our sakes. That's the big idea in Ken Shigematsu's exposition of John 1 in his sermon "God with Skin." Along with some solid exegesis, compelling illustrations, and accessible language, Ken also quotes St. Augustine who once said, "The Son of God became a Son of man so that we might become the sons and daughters of God." Now that's worth celebrating!

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Young Man Tries to Love His Alcoholic Uncle
• Featured Video: Childlike Faith: This touching mini-movie reflects on the words of Jesus in Mark 10:15 about all us of needing childlike faith.
• Featured Sermon: "God with Skin" by Ken Shigematsu
• Featured Skills Article: "Caught Between 'Bah, humbug' and 'God Bless Us, Everyone'" by Lee Eclov

Matt Woodley
Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.