NIKI FLORICA

All right, y'all, who watched The Chosen Christmas Special on Sunday? If you did, please accept my fist bump through your computer screen. If you didn't—well. It's worth a watch. Powerful, beautiful stuff. In addition to stunning musical numbers and an excellent Christmas episode, several of the actors from The Chosen cast performed monologues on the names of God throughout redemptive history. Ironically, it was Judas Iscariot's (or rather, Luke Dimyan's) words that packed th

Meet Dudley, Myrtle, and Rudy, the three happy snowmen mascots of this Thankful Thursday post. Technically, I should be studying for my final exam tomorrow, but thankfulness waits for no exam, and I think we could all use a reminder that there is always something to smile about, especially at this time of year. Christmas is in just over a week and I catch myself wondering how it's snuck up so fast. It doesn't feel like Christmas at all, and part of me is feeling that little p

God's was the first voice I heard when I woke up this morning. He didn't speak through words, but He was among the first thoughts in my head, and as I threw back the covers, I felt joy bubbling close to the surface, risen from the deep place in me where it normally simmers under my other emotions. I have things to say today and I'm not sure what they are yet. I'm just pounding on my keys and asking God to speak through me, asking you to follow where it goes. Joy is a beautifu

Ebenezer Scrooge is a tight-fisted, hard-hearted, money-hoarding businessman who scoffs at Christmas and everything it entails. He is unfeeling toward the needy, unkind toward his fellow man, and uncomprehending of the great cost of his own greed to his soul. Not until the ghost of his late business partner appears to him on Christmas Eve does Scrooge begin to question the price of his cruel ways. He is warned by this ghost of three Spirits to come: the Spirits of Christmas

In sifting through ideas for today's snowy Saturday Spotlight, I couldn't seem to decide on one that befit the theme of the season. With Christmas so close, a post on The Great Gatsby or Florence Nightingale seemed out of place . . . so I decided to put the spotlight where it should be this time of year. On Jesus. But how to give justice to the Light of the World, the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counsellor in 3000 characters or less? I'll speak from the heart. This year es

At the start of the semester, a friend of mine took the initiative to resurrect a Christian club at our high school from a group that had existed in past years. It's been such a blessed and rewarding experience to meet with Christians every week within a school setting, and today more than usual, since, in the spirit of the season, it was the day of our Christmas service! Shaking up our usual proceedings for the occasion was a lot of fun. We met in the school music room, sang