New Netflix Film Wants To Make Mary Accessible to All
Netflix’s “Mary,” directed by D.J. Caruso, offers a compelling look at the mother of Jesus, told from her own perspective. With Anthony Hopkins as Herod and newcomer Noa Cohen as Mary, the film presents her not just as a holy icon but as a relatable young woman navigating faith, sacrifice and courage. Caruso hopes the film’s beauty and humanity make Mary’s story accessible to all, regardless of belief.
How Christmas Movies Have Changed Over The Last 20 Years
Faith-based films are reshaping Christmas movies, bridging timeless traditions with modern audiences. As Hollywood shifts toward niche storytelling, faith-centered Christmas films are gaining traction, connecting deeply with families seeking meaning in the holiday season. With overlapping themes of family, hope and reconciliation, these films could redefine what it means to create a Christmas classic. Could faith-based movies become the future of holiday storytelling?
There’s Something About Mary: ‘No Person Knew Christ With Greater Intimacy’
When kids are hurt or lost, their first instinct is often to call out for their moms. There’s a deep, natural connection there — a bond that comforts and guides. In the same way, Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands as a figure of profound intimacy with Christ. No one knew him more closely, and her role offers timeless wisdom for reconnecting with faith.
The Arts of Slowing and Paying Attention
The rhythm of December offers a gentle reminder: some of life’s deepest treasures are only found when we slow down. Advent invites moments of stillness, a chance to sit with longing and hope. Like the stark beauty of winter trees or the quiet of early morning light, waiting can reveal the unseen — reshaping hearts and preparing us for the promise of new life.
Celebrate Christmas Your Way
Christmas can look different for every family. Some find meaning in the stillness of a quiet morning, others in the joy of serving a neighbor, or the glow of shared traditions. However you celebrate, there’s room for the unique ways God wired you to honor the season. Let this year be one where your family finds joy and connection in the simple and sacred moments that reflect Christ’s love.
Choose Hard-Earned Joy Instead of Cynicism
True joy doesn’t avoid the heaviness of life — it embraces it, journeys through it and emerges on the other side, fuller and brighter. Rob Bell calls cynicism “lazy,” a superficial retreat from life’s complexities. Joy, by contrast, takes courage. It acknowledges the heartbreak and injustice of this world but refuses to be undone by them. Instead, it chooses gratitude for what’s fleeting and beautiful, savoring every precious moment while it lasts.
Rediscover Christmas Through 12 Classic Tales
Caught in the holiday rush, it’s easy to overlook what makes Christmas truly special. “Twelve Classic Christmas Stories,” edited by Timothy Larsen, offers a moment to pause and reflect through tales of generosity, redemption and faith. Featuring works by Charles Dickens, O. Henry, Louisa May Alcott and more, this anthology revives the timeless truths of the season — truths that remind us how deeply love and selflessness shape Christmas.
Charles Dickens Changed How We Celebrate Christmas
Charles Dickens transformed how Christmas is celebrated, shaping it into a season of generosity, connection and hope. “A Christmas Carol” isn’t just a tale of one man’s redemption — it’s a challenge to rethink what we treasure. With its vivid characters and timeless lessons, Dickens’ work asks whether the holiday is about what we gain or what we give, a question still worth exploring today.
Why Get To Know Thomas Aquinas?
Why get to know Thomas Aquinas? Because he shows us how to seek truth with humility. Aquinas didn’t settle for easy answers or shy away from ideas outside his tradition. Instead, he wrestled with them, learning from Jewish, Muslim and classical thinkers along the way. His life and work remind us that wisdom grows when we approach both faith and reason with curiosity and an open heart.
Signing Church Services for the Deaf Is a Work of Love
At First Baptist Church of Suitland, the Holy Hands ministry is more than sign language — it’s a bridge to the gospel. What began with hesitant faith has grown into a team of interpreters ensuring Deaf members feel seen, heard and loved. Through dedication and God’s provision, this ministry reflects the beauty of inclusion, showing that sharing his word is both an act of service and a testament to his faithfulness. Look at God.
The Struggle Between The Kingdoms Of Empire and Peace
Jesus stood before Pilate and declared a kingdom unlike any other — a kingdom not of this world. Where empires conquer and dominate, his kingdom calls for love, humility and mercy. Yet throughout history, the kingdom of heaven has been mistaken for the kingdom of empire, blurring lines and betraying its radical nature. The question remains: can we live by Jesus’ kingdom today, knowing it may cost us everything?
The Advent of Humility
Humility was at the heart of Jesus’ life, and it’s the foundation of true Christian faith. But humility isn’t something we achieve by effort — it grows only as a byproduct of marveling at God’s grace. The gospel frees us from self-focus, replacing pride with self-forgetfulness. In a culture bent on proving itself, the quiet strength of humility points us back to the life Christ calls us to live.
Bible Study And Church Attendance May Stem Loneliness
A new study highlights the power of Scripture and church attendance in combating loneliness, an epidemic likened to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in its toll on health. Those engaged with the Bible or attending church weekly report dramatically lower loneliness rates. With forgiveness and meaningful connections at its core, faith offers a tangible antidote to isolation, inviting a deeper sense of belonging and community in a disconnected world.
Praying for the Impossible
What’s on your heart that feels too big to pray for? Grief and loss often leave us hesitant, yet impossible prayers open the door to God’s unexpected grace.
Miracles, God, Faith, Ecumenism And Other Cosmic Oddities
The universe buzzes with mysteries we can’t fully grasp, but one truth stands firm: God’s love is real and reaches everyone. Miracles, those inexplicable interruptions of the ordinary, remind us that God cares deeply — even when the answers we long for don’t come. Faith doesn’t demand certainty, but it invites us to trust in a divine love that holds us steady through every moment.
Come Pray for the Persecuted
Christians around the world are pausing this November to pray for those suffering persecution for their beliefs. At a gathering in Dallas, prayers went beyond Christian communities to include Uyghur Muslims, Yazidis, and Baha’is facing oppression. Rooted in Jesus’ call to love our neighbors, this movement is sparking bold advocacy across faith lines, lifting up the persecuted with prayer and action wherever their struggles are found.
‘Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints’: Reverent Look At Christian Heroes
Martin Scorsese’s “The Saints” offers a reverent portrayal of Christian heroes, blending dramatized storytelling with the director’s signature grit and grace. Through lives like Joan of Arc and Maximillian Kolbe, the series invites viewers to reflect on sacrifice, flaws and faith. While the docudrama doesn’t dive as deeply as some might hope, it’s a compelling introduction to saints who shaped history and whose legacies still inspire.
John Stott: A Quiet Giant of Faith
Discover how John Stott, a quiet yet towering figure in modern Christianity, shaped faith and culture through profound theological insight and unwavering commitment. Known for blending intellectual rigor with accessible wisdom, Stott’s works emphasize living out faith with integrity, compassion and a call to social action. His legacy, from pioneering the Lausanne Covenant to mentoring future leaders, continues to inspire those seeking a deeply rooted, actionable faith.
How We Embody Joy
Joy blooms uniquely in each life — quiet and subtle in some, exuberant and radiant in others. Like an invasive seed, joy resists control, spreading beyond our expectations and into the lives of those around us. Whether shaped by culture, personality or faith, joy stirs a longing for something eternal, reminding us that her laughter of the heart is not ours to tame but to share.
Tony Campolo: Evangelist to the evangelicals
Tony Campolo’s life was a sermon — one that proclaimed “good news to the poor” in both word and deed. A fiery preacher and sharp sociologist, he bridged the divide between evangelical faith and social justice, reminding countless audiences of Jesus’ call to liberate the oppressed. From his iconic “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming” message to co-founding Red Letter Christians, Tony’s legacy is a gospel lived boldly, for the least of these.