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Christmas oranges

Christmas oranges

Curtis Peter van Gorder

Our family has a longstanding Christmas Day tradition of sharing tangerines before opening our presents. It’s a way to remember our grandparents and great-grandparents wh... »

Missed flights

Missed flights

In the last year, my wife and I have missed three flights. In our many years of traveling, this had never happened before. It was something different each time—exhaustion... »

Caught in a tempest

Caught in a tempest

Curtis Peter van Gorder

A retelling of Matthew 8:23–27, as told by a disciple. No one could tell stories like the Master—stories of soil and sheep, a lost coin and a lost son, wise and foolish s... »

The good place

The good place

In my high school literature class, we studied Jean-Paul Sartre’s play No Exit, in which hell’s occupants are confined to a room and have nothing to do but engage in frui... »

The eyewitness

The eyewitness

—An account of Jesus’ arrest as told by the high priest’s servant, Malchus The past 24 hours have been disturbing, terrifying, wonderful. It started with an order from Ca... »

Deserted phone booths

Deserted phone booths

A city where I used to live is dotted with deserted public telephone booths. Obsolete and derelict, they stand silent and empty, eerie reminders of their former usefulnes... »

Becky’s gift

Becky’s gift

Curtis Peter van Gorder

Becky was a fellow student I sat next to in 5th grade some 50 years ago. Something reminded me of her this morning and, one thing leading to another, a whole host of memo... »

Lonely at Christmas?

Lonely at Christmas?

Curtis Peter van Gorder

If you’re feeling lonely this Christmas, you’re not alone. Sad Christmas songs are popular because they strike a responsive chord in many. For a number of people, Christm... »

The light of love

The light of love

Curtis Peter van Gorder

God’s Word tells us that God is love and that He wants the world to be filled with the same: “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all... »

Musical woods

Musical woods

It’s sometimes called the most human of instruments, because it has the noble mission of expressing our deepest emotions. It sings in its deep vibrant voice to touch our... »