In like manner must be observed the other festivals and seasons which have been prescribed, with a view to the increase of godliness by meditating upon the great deeds of the Lord accomplished for our redemption and eternal salvation, and to the giving of thanks to God for them. Such festivals are those of the Incarnation and Nativity of Christ, of his Ascension, etc.

-- Martin Bucer, Common Places

2nd Helvetic Confession XXIV.iv: Holy Days

Moreover, if in Christian liberty the churches religiously celebrate the memory of the Lord's nativity, circumcision, passion, resurrection, and of his ascension into heaven, and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, we approve of it highly.

An friendly reminder to any "Reformed" people using the Regulative Principle to justify being joyless little grinches: Calvin says you're gay.

The Churches shall observe, in addition to Sunday, also Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, with the following day, and whereas in most of the cities and provinces of the Netherlands the day of Circumcision and of Ascension of Christ are also observed, Ministers in every place where this is not yet done shall take steps with the Government to have them conform with the others.

– Article 67, Book of Church Order of the Synod of Dort (1619)

Thanks, Doug, thanks for showing us the way ✊🏼

Merry Christmas and good Yule, friends! The Mighty God became flesh, a little baby -- wonder of wonders. All the best, frens.

In the stories God tells, salvation comes from the unlikliest places. A boat built in a desert, an imprisoned prophet who interprets dreams, a fugitive prince at the Red Sea, a yougest son employed as a shepherd, and yes, as a little baby born in a stable, and yes, on a cross with pierced hands and side.

But it all makes sense in the end, and afterwards we can't imagine the story playing out any differently. God still works this way in our lives today. "He has chosen the foolish things to shame the wise" (1 Cor. 1:27).

To everyone getting worked up over what Trump's 2nd term will be like:

Relax and enjoy Christmastide. It's impossible to forecast with precision. But with all the twists and turns of his first term, I can safely assert that nearly all euphoric or catastrophizing predictions will prove wrong.

India should be a place where Indians want to live, where the Gospel shines brightly and reforms the entire subcontinent. I pray that the whole country is brought to our Lord, that the persecution ends, and that the Lord calls all of the Indian diaspora back home to see the wonders He has done for it.

The idea that the "best and brightest" engineers will come from India, Bangladesh, or Vietnam is preposterous on its face.

If these crap holes really had the "top .01% talent" to quote Elon, they would be the tech capitals of the world. Instead, Indians scam other Indians offering them fake degrees to qualify for H1-B Visas to the US (real).