“Reconciled” is the theme for SOLA Conference 2020 and registration is now open! View our conference page, watch Pastor Harold Kim share about this year’s theme, and meet our plenary speakers, Kim Kira, Watson Jones III, and Owen Lee.
This edition of our TGIF roundup centers on Christmas. As a new father this year, I took the time to share on my blog some personal reflections on how Jesus was born a baby.
Our monthly SOLA Newsletter is scheduled to be sent out this evening. Stay connected with us and subscribe today. If you have a link to share, tweet me @musicgoon or email me at aaron@musicgoon.com.
I personally want to say thank you for reading and subscribing to our TGIF roundups since we started back in March. And on behalf of the SOLA digital admin team, I would like to wish our readers a happy new year!
Articles From Around The Web
1. Heidi Tai: Immanuel: The reason why I still bother with Christmas
SOLA contributor Heidi Tai gives us 5 reasons why Jesus’ name “Immanuel” gives encouragement in a challenging Christmas season. I found these words of hope to be fitting as we head into the new year.
2. Alice Su: For China’s underground churches, this was no easy Christmas
China correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, Alice Su shares on the perseverance of the Chinese house churches. For further reading, check out my 4 Takeaways from the Church in China: A Book Review of Grace to the City.
3. Hannah Chao: The Daughters of Eve and the Son of Mary: A Christmas Reflection
SOLA editor Hannah Chao shares with us why “Virgin Mary and Eve,” a crayon & pencil drawing by Sr Grace Remington, is one of her favorites. Hannah helps us examine the art and see not only the beauty of women, but of Jesus.
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. Keith and Kristyn Getty: Incarnation – Sing! The Life Of Christ Quintology (Live)
The first in a five-part series of mini-albums about the life of Christ. Perfect for continuing the Christmas vibes while preparing for the new year.
2. John Piper: Why Was Christ Born into This World?
In this special episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper reads from the 10th chapter of his book, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. The Ask Pastor John podcast was fundamental in my understanding of how podcasting can be used for ministry purposes.
3. Aaron Lee: Book Reviews
This week I reviewed Repeat the Sounding Joy by Christopher Ash.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Hannah Chao: SOLA’s Hidden Gems for 2019
“As the year winds down, I wanted to unearth some of these hidden gems that you may have missed because of Facebook algorithms and general busyness. I hope you will read and linger over some of these words and see the amount of wisdom, creativity, and joy that God has given our brothers and sisters to share with us.”
2. Daniel K. Eng: Good News of Great Joy: A Christmas Devotion
“This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of the Savior, let’s remember what the shepherds heard that glorious night. Jesus brings glory to God. Jesus brings peace to those who follow him.”
3. Daniel K. Eng: My Favorite Bible Passage about Christmas isn’t in the Gospels
“Around this time of year, we read and hear Scripture passages about the birth of Christ. It’s a great time for us to consider what Christmas means. Because of this, my favorite passage about Jesus’ birth is not found in the Gospels. It’s actually from Galatians.”
4. Harold Kim: Sweet Surrender: A Christmas Devotion
“In the Bible, naming demonstrates authority, ownership, manageable control. This explains why Jesus was not named but given the name that means ‘God saves.’ From the moment of His conception to birth, Jesus has never been under our control.”
5. TGIF: Roundup for December 20, 2019
In case you missed it, here are some headlines from last week: He Made Them Male and Female – Sex, Gender, and the Image of God, Common Trials Are Still Trials, and The Forgotten Figure in the Nativity Scene.
6. SOLA: TGIF Subscription
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General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.