Bethany McIlrath

First and Second: Perspective On What Matters Most (Matthew 22:36-40)

Category: BEHOLD! {Series}

  • 15. BEHOLD: The Calm

    15. BEHOLD: The Calm

    Crazy days. Crazy illnesses, crazy injuries. Crazy times with students. Crazy plans to keep up with. Crazy lots to get done. Crazy excitement ahead. Everything is crazy these days. Has anyone else hit that point yet? Regardless of the careful planning ahead, Christmas always seem to come with craziness. It must have during the first…

  • 14. BEHOLD: The One Worthy

    14. BEHOLD: The One Worthy

    You better be good, for goodness’ sake. You’ll get coal in your stocking if you aren’t nice this year. You’d better make this Christmas one to remember, or you could ruin it for everyone. Be worthy: it’s what Christmas is all about. Except…at Christmas we remember Christ coming. The only one of whom we can…

  • 13. BEHOLD: The Author and Editor

    13. BEHOLD: The Author and Editor

    Oh, the stories that come with Christmas! Tales of wild festivities, hilarious memories, and sentimental moments. At Christmas we also face stories we’d rather not; disappointing and painful memories are often whispering in the background. One story we also hear tells of Christ’s coming to earth to save us. This is the greatest story, and…

  • 12. BEHOLD: His Sacrifice

    12. BEHOLD: His Sacrifice

    Little babies are one of the most precious blessings to behold in this world. We look on them with awe and wonder –their little hands and feet. Their tiny personalities. The miracle of new life in so small and fragile a package. When Christ became a baby, new life was not born. He had long…

  • 11. BEHOLD: The Brave

    11. BEHOLD: The Brave

    Isn’t it silly which things require bravery? Saying “no” to a friend’s Christmas invitation seems scary because they might be offended. Choosing that particular gift can be frightening because it may not be what they wanted and it will hurt to see it rejected. Telling a co-worker about the Christmas Eve service carries risks. These…

  • 10. BEHOLD: The Adorner

    10. BEHOLD: The Adorner

    Why do we decorate at Christmas time? Jesus was born in a manger, and yet many of us to celebrate his birth deck out our whole houses. It takes years to accumulate complete sets of decorations –from expensive pieces to enough simple lights to cover the trees, banisters, and yard. For some, it takes almost…

  • 9. BEHOLD: Our Treasurer

    9. BEHOLD: Our Treasurer

    People tend to count often in December. Fastidious budgeters often check their bank accounts multiple times a day during December. Others tally what’s left in their wallets. Some people take the time to count their blessings. I know I’ve also counted the hours in the day and the tasks left to complete. December is a month…

  • 8. BEHOLD: The Healer

    8. BEHOLD: The Healer

    Along with the Christmas season comes the cold season. And the flu season. And the season for strep throat, pneumonia, exhaustion, etc. Those are just the physical illnesses that plague the holidays. With Christmas, for many, comes disappointment. The heartache of loneliness and loss seems exacerbated by the twinkling lights and appearance that all is…

  • 7. BEHOLD: The Bearer

    7. BEHOLD: The Bearer

    I have 60 people on my Christmas card list this year. There are more than 10 people to buy for. That’s just Christmas stuff. The Lord blessed me with a new job a few months ago. The more people I get to know there, the longer my prayer list grows. That’s on top of the…

  • 6. BEHOLD: Our Home

    6. BEHOLD: Our Home

    After holiday festivities, you just want to get home. People traveling far and wide for Christmas celebrations know the nostalgia of wanting to get to their own place –or even just the familiar, beloved place they are headed. When Jesus was born, it wasn’t in His own place. But He still had a place to…