Greetings!

I love this time of year! Christmas is a big hit for me, as well as everything else that happens that surrounds Christmas. This week’s DHD has some holiday flavor to it, but I cover other timely topics too.

Thanks for reading!

1. The happiest people

I get quite a few of my DHD topics from friends on Facebook, the articles they share.

This week a friend shared “The Happiest People Are Those Who Realized That God Is Enough” by Rania Naim.

I’ve never heard of Rania Naim. I appreciate her poetry and writing. I’ve read “Happiest People” a handful of times, and I like her conclusions.

But I have to be honest—current writings have caused me to be jaded. Somebody comes up with a trendy message like Jesus hates religion, don’t say you’re blessed or go watch your face, and my conservative Christian guard comes up.

I don’t mean to discredit anything Naim shared in “Happiest People.” She encouraged me. However, I also noticed she did not mention Scripture, and I also wonder if she herself is one of the “happiest people” she describes.

I welcome your feedback.

2. Music and dementia

Another Facebook friend shared this article about music never getting lost with dementia patients. This reminded me about my mother.

Mom passed away in September after struggling with dementia for more than 10 years. In the last three years of her life, the dementia was pretty aggressive, even though Mom kept a mostly happy outlook.

But one thing is certain, she never lost her love and passion for music. She played the piano for the majority of her life, and she loved to sing.

One thing I will miss at this year’s Christmas Eve service at church is Mom being with me and singing every song.

3. Facts about IMB

This week was the Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. If you are not familiar with the LMCO or the International Mission Board, which the offering supports, check out this article provided by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Even if you are familiar with the IMB, you might learn something you didn’t already know if you read it.

4. Getty’s Christmas Carol Series

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the music. I know there are those who can listen to Christmas music year round, and that’s fine if you’re one of those peeps.

But right now is the best time of year for such tunes. I consider the few weeks leading up to Dec. 25 as the “March Madness” time for Christmas music. And I am fully in the groove.

Of course, the best holiday music is Christmas Carols, songs and hymns that reflect the actual meaning of Christmas, which is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

On baptistmessenger.com, from Dec. 2 until Dec. 12, an article by Keith Getty is being released each day about some of the great carols. Getty is a great hymn writer and worship leader, and I’ve enjoyed his insight about each song. I hope you will check out all of the articles. I confess, there’s a few song I did not know before reading Getty’s write-ups.

5. Mohler and the Electoral College

You know I can’t go too many weeks without mentioning Albert Mohler and The Briefing.

Check out Wednesday’s edition where he addresses a presidential candidate’s view of the Electoral College. It’s a great education!

6. Christmas outreach

Finally, I enjoyed Glen Scrivener’s “2 Ways to Approach Outreach This Christmas.”

His conclusions are excellent and challenging. All Christians should apply both outreach methods.