DDDela`s Musings

  As the calendar turns to 2026, the energy of a fresh start is undeniable. A truly great year isn’t built on luck; it’s the result of deliberate choices and strategic habits. Instead of vague resolutions, focus on mastering key behaviors that lay the foundation for sustainable success, deeper relationships, and profound personal growth. Here are 12 essential things you must do to ensure 2026 is your most impactful year yet:   1. Define Your North Star (The “Why”) Before setting goals, establish the core values and vision that will guide all your choices. Ask yourself: “What does a successful life look like to me, personally?” Your North Star provides clarity, helping you say “no” to distractions and focus on activities that truly move you toward your highest aspirations.   2. Prioritize Energy Over Time We often focus on time management, but energy management is the real key to productivity. Identify the activities, people, and environments that drain you...

  Christmas is more than just carols, lights, and presents. For John and Charles Wesley ; the dynamic duo behind the Methodist movement ; it was a powerful, practical, and deeply spiritual call to action. They didn't just celebrate a birthday; they embraced an entire spiritual revolution rooted in humility, compassion, and community.   Their approach to Christmas combined deep theological insight with a commitment to living out Christ’s love in the real world. Think of them as the original advocates for “keeping Christ in Christmas,” but with a focus on service above all else.   The Heart of the Matter: Why Jesus' Birth Was Everything For John Wesley , the founder of Methodism , Christmas was the lynchpin of the Christian story. He saw the Incarnation; God becoming human in Jesus Christ; as the ultimate act of love and humility.   John Wesley’s Insight: Christmas wasn’t just about a baby in a manger; it was God saying, “I want to be close to you.” It’s...

  When you think of a traditional Christmas , you probably picture twinkling lights, festive carols, and community warmth. But for John Calvin , the great Reformation thinker, Christmas was a far more serious, profound, and beautifully sober affair.   Calvin, known for his relentless focus on the Sovereignty of God and commitment to biblical purity ; didn’t throw out the Christmas story . Instead, he stripped away all the non-biblical customs and demanded a deep, intellectual, and worshipful engagement with the ultimate mystery: God becoming human .   The Theological Anchor: God is in Charge At the heart of Calvin’s theology is the idea that God governs absolutely everything . For him, the Incarnation ; the birth of Jesus ; was not a sentimental surprise, but the climax of God's sovereign plan for redemption. He considered Christmas as the ultimate proof that salvation is completely God’s initiative. It wasn't about a sweet moment in Bethlehem ; it was the di...

  Christmas, for the 16th-century reformer Martin Luther , transcended mere festivity; it was a profound theological and personal event; the ultimate demonstration of divine humility and unmerited grace. Luther’s perspective and practice of Christmas, deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasized simplicity, joy, and an unwavering focus on the Incarnation as the central act of salvation history . His approach provided a stark contrast to the extravagance of his time, laying a foundational legacy for how many Christians today understand and observe the holiday.   Theological Foundation: Grace and Humility Luther viewed the Incarnation ; God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ; as the pinnacle of God’s love. The fact that the omnipotent God chose to enter the world as a vulnerable, helpless baby, born not in a palace but in a humble manger, captivated Luther. This reality served as the bedrock of his Christmas theology.   He emphasized that Christ’s birth...