The first Christmas
What Christmas commemorates is fundamental to the Christian faith. However, it’s not just for Christians. It affects everyone, and understanding what it means can radical... »
Articles
Our family traditions
Christmas for our family is always a big mix and match as far as the things we do, foods we prepare, and ways we celebrate. Every year looks different, and I love that ab... »
Gift giving
I’d say the trickiest part of Christmas is deciding whether to include gift giving. It can be a burden on your time, energy, finances, and Christmas spirit, or it can be... »
The Christmas of small things
December 2020 was my first Christmas without my husband. He had passed away five months before, quite quickly. He still had many projects he wanted to accomplish. One of... »
Our savior relates to us
There are four books of the Bible that are dedicated to the story of Jesus’ life; they record His teachings, miracles, actions, etc. Mark and John’s accounts begin when J... »
Christ came that night!
It was winter in Romania. A few of us had prepared gifts and bags filled with chicken, basic food items, snacks, and fruit. We parked our car on a dark street surrounded... »
The search for peace
“Glory to God in the highest,” angels proclaimed to shepherds on the first Christmas Eve, “and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14 NKJV). Although peace has b... »
Peace on earth
In celebration of My birth, you can join the multitude of angels that proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest,” and echo their prayer for peace on earth and goodwill towa... »
Growing in the 21st Century
Welcome to this year’s second variety magazine. We greatly enjoy these issues as Activated contributors write about what is on their hearts at the time, which results in... »
Holding on to hope
My son gifted me a beautiful hibiscus plant. It had a lovely pink flower and a few buds. Looking at the plant made me very happy! After a few days the flower shed its pet... »
God’s Presence in Loneliness
The Bible tells us that God created humankind in His image, and in doing so, He created us for relationship (Genesis 1:27). He Himself exists eternally in relationship—Go... »
The inner life
I have always thought of myself as a reasonably tidy person, someone who likes to keep things around me neat, clean, and organized. I have heard the adage “cleanliness is... »
Putting on Christ
I have been thinking a lot about personal growth recently, and have been listening to inspirational talks on the importance of spiritual growth and character development.... »