His Only Son

On April 5, 2026April 4, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

Here’s how we opened our Easter service this morning at Christ Community Church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. As has become our tradition, it’s a dark-to-light presentation that culminates in a choir processional of exuberant voices declaring the joy of Christ’s resurrection, with the congregation joining in on the last verse. This year’s presentation was called “His Only Son,” from Genesis 22 and the Gospels. Enjoy.

Click on the image to access the video:

His Only Son

An Original Production by
Christ Community Church

Written by
Tim Valentino

Narrated by
Ken Hunkins

Produced and Edited by
Tim Valentino

Artwork by
Maureen Logan

Choir Directors
Sonya Valentino
Shirley Long

Processional
Christ Community Church Easter Choir

Jen Danielson, Lisa Dreibelbis, Stacey Espenschied, Kaye Focht, Marcy Garman, Shawn Garman, Ginny Hauer, Ken Hunkins, Faye Hipkiss, Bonnie Hunkins, Carol Keller, Kirby Keller, Maureen Logan, Shirley Long, Claude Petrie, Jan Petrie, Dawn Sharp, Pat Shroff, Sonya Valentino, and Tim Valentino.

—

Music by

“Adagio for Strings,” String Quartet, Op. 11 by Samuel Barber, performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, Sony Music, 1971.

“Prelude” by Scott Brasher and J. A. C. Redford on Unveiled Hope by Michael Card, performed by the London Session Orchestra, featuring Hunter Lee, conducted by J. A. C. Redford, Myrrh, 1977.

“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” lyrics by Henry Van Dyke, music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy: from Symphony No. 9, performed by the Grace Community Church Orchestra, Sun Valley, CA, 2024.

Video by

His Only Son, directed by David Helling, starring Nicolas Mouawad as Abraham, Sara Seyed as Sarah, Edaan Moskowitz as Isaac, and Dan da Silva as the Lord, Angel Studios, 2023.

Jesus of Nazareth, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, Yorgo Voyagis as Joseph, and Michael York as John the Baptist, ITC Entertainment, 1977.

The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Icon Productions/Newmarket Films, 2004.

Risen, directed by Kevin Reynolds, starring Joseph Fiennes as Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger, Antonio Gil as Joseph of Arimathea, and Victor Trapani as Nicodemus, Affirm Films/Columbia Pictures, 2016.

Licensed By

Christian Copyright Licensing International No. 21229380

Christian Video Licensing International No. 21-03851831

On Birthday Blessings and Old Testament Sacrifices

On March 31, 2026March 31, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

Another lap around the sun is almost complete, so it’s a good day to count my blessings. The boys came over this past Sunday night to help me celebrate, and they were so excited about the occasion that Levi blurted out what they had gotten me before I opened the gifts. Samuel was just dropping hints, so he’s starting to get how surprises are supposed to work. I guess that’s the difference between a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. At one point, Sonya told Levi that he had cake on his face, and he said, “I don’t mind.” Too funny.

Every year their parents ask them, “What do you think Papa would like more than anything else in the whole world?” Samuel’s answer this year was a Lego wrecking ball. (Last year it was a Lego steamroller.) Levi’s answer was a pull-string racecar. Nothing could be more special to this birthday boy. Why? Lego contraptions are built together, and racecars that run under their own power are best played with two people. So, that’s what makes this little tradition so wonderful. We get to build things and play together, which is the best kind of celebration.

Believe it or not, the whole thing helps me understand the Old Testament sacrificial system a bit better, especially vis-à-vis the customs of the nations surrounding Israel. Unlike the foreign gods of the ancient Near East, Yahweh does not get hungry or need to be fed (Psalm 50:9-13). Rather, Israel is to “offer thank offerings to God” (Psalm 50:14). For him, it’s all about the relationship with his people. He knows the Israelites will want to give him gifts to express their love to him, so he lets them do so by way of the sacrificial system.

Same with this Papa. I don’t need another trinket in the house, but I absolutely treasure the time spent with my boys. I want to be near them. And—right now, anyway—they want to be near me. Even if I help pay for the gifts they give, as God likewise makes the creatures that get sacrificed back to him, I will enjoy the racecar and wrecking ball more that they will ever know. They even told me what kind of cake I wanted this year (white with white icing and sprinkles), and we were happy to oblige. They were genuinely wanting me to have a special time. And we did.

Other gifts this year included an English/Hebrew Torah, a 2-volume set of Greek New Testament manuscripts, 96 K-cups of Eight O’Clock Dark Italian Espresso, several other theology books, and a whole bunch of clothes and shoes for the upcoming wedding. (I undergrew my black suit, so I needed a new one.) And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There were so many other cards and gifts, but it was time spent with family that made it all so special.

That and my flowering cherry tree, which fully blossomed today. It was like a little wink from heaven. Yes, I am indeed blessed.

“Humiliation & Exaltation” (Philippians 2:5-11)

On March 30, 2026March 30, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn SermonsLeave a comment

People don’t usually look for ways to get demoted. They try to go up the ladder of success not down. But if the eternal Son of God had a birthday on that first Christmas, it was a voluntary choice for demotion. It was the ultimate pay cut. It was the ultimate story of riches to rags. And he did it willingly. The Creator willingly became part of his creation. The Master Artist willingly became part of his painting. The Eternal One willingly became part history and subject to time. The Apostle Paul’s Carmen Christi (“Hymn to Christ”) in Philippians 2:5-11 describes just how low he went. And then how high.

The song is a summary of his full journey—as represented by the Passion Sunday donkey (humiliation) and the Palm Sunday palms (exaltation). In fact, the Carmen Christi becomes the Carmen Patri (“Hymn to the Father”). But why? How does a hymn that is so radically focused on Jesus Christ end up being a hymn “to the glory of God the Father” (v. 11)? That’s the question we seek to answer in this sermon, one in which we learn that self-emptying love is what true godliness looks like. No wonder Jesus said on more than one occasion, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11, 18:14).

Sermon Resources:

Humiliation & Exaltation (Outline)Download

Humiliation & Exaltation (PowerPoint)Download

The Week of All Weeks

On March 28, 2026March 28, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn Bible & TheologyLeave a comment

Passion Week (or Holy Week) can be one of the most significant times in a believer’s worship year. During these days, we clear our calendars to focus exclusively on the events of Jesus’s suffering, death, and resurrection, which are at the heart of our Christian faith. Our attention during this special week is directed toward the person and work of Christ as:

the triumphant yet humble King of the universe who is Israel’s promised Messiah (Palm Sunday);

the servant of God and mediator of the new covenant (Maundy Thursday);

the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Good Friday);

the Last Adam resting in a deep sleep to give birth to his bride, the church (Great Saturday) and

Christus Victor—the risen Savior of the human race (Easter Sunday).

Holy Week itself grew out of the simple observation that 28 of the 89 chapters in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)—32 percent—are devoted to the period of time between the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and his ascension into heaven. Yet this period is less than one percent of Jesus’ entire three and a half years of public ministry.

In terms of literary style, then, such space allocation suggests that while the birth, life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus were important to the authors, it was the passion of Christ and his resurrection from the dead that were centrally important to their purpose in writing. It’s almost as if each of the four Gospels is a Passion Narrative with an extended introduction!

By way of analogy, modern writers and filmmakers often arrange for the action of their stories to slow down when they reach their most critical moments, using techniques such as freeze frame, slow motion, and extended coverage. The technique of slow motion is used, for example, in the important race scenes in the movie Chariots of Fire, where the director captures and accentuates each runner’s agonized expression before the finish line. The impact is significant.

The amount of application of such techniques in storytelling is proportional to the importance of any given scene to the larger work. It’s no exaggeration, then, to say that the Passion Narratives present to us the incomparable love of God in slow motion. Believers seek to revel in that love during Holy Week, changing up our routines and realigning our schedules to Gospel-centered considerations.

Our church doesn’t offer a Great Saturday observance yet, but we’re working on it. This year, Passion Week in our neck of the woods is as follows:

His Only Son, My Only Son

On March 23, 2026March 24, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

My son Andrew is getting married two months from today. It’s been a joy having him live with us for the past couple years as he was rebooting his life from photojournalism to tech support for Christian musical theater. Not only is he enjoying his career at Sight & Sound, but he met his fiancé there as well. He also appeared in their second film, A Great Awakening. So, it’s a time of much joy as we celebrate God’s goodness to him and prepare for the big day.

Since Drew will be leaving us soon, I decided to do this year’s Easter opening entirely myself. I’ve been far too dependent on him over the years for video generation and editing. So, I forced myself to learn three new apps for making soundtracks, storyboards, and video compilations. This year’s production is based on the Akedah, the Binding of Isaac in Genesis 22. It’s a heartrending story that leads to Jesus, and my well of tears has been thoroughly drained during the preparations. Drew said, “Now you know how hard it is to edit through tears.” Exactly right.

Let’s just say I have a newfound respect for my son’s skills in this area. He really has a gift. The last two weeks have been nonstop and intense. Part of the challenge has been learning the software and then using it for editing video clips and audio tracks—something I’ve never done until now. I can usually craft a story and conceive the look I am aiming for, but Drew has always been the one to bring it to life. This time I flew solo.

So, I was eager to get his feedback on my first project. He loved it! He said I have some good editing instincts and conveyed the message well. Were he to give me a grade, he said it would be about a 92-95. Not bad for the first try! Since he has a Film and Media Arts degree from Temple University, I really value his feedback. He gave me a few ideas for tightening up the final edit, and I’ll be doing those over the next few days. I’ll post the final version here after the Easter Sunday worship service.

He’s still my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. That’s one of the reasons it’s been such an emotional month. As I’ve pondered Genesis 22 for the Good Friday service and Easter Sunday opening, I’ve been wrecked afresh by the deep and profound love that God has for his creation. For you. For me. For all of us. The hardest thing God could ever ask of us is the very thing he did for us—he gave us his only son. “I scarce can take it in.”

Drew promises to come back for our weekly movie night. (He’s only moving an hour away.) In fact, right now we’re watching Galaxy Quest because we wanted to watch something campy and fun. The cast is quite good—Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Tony Shalhoub. But the company is better. Thanks for being my movie man, Drew. You will always be loved.

His Only Son

An Original Production by
Christ Community Church

Written by
Tim Valentino

Narrated by
Ken Hunkins

Produced and Edited by
Tim Valentino

Artwork by
Maureen Logan

Choir Directors
Sonya Valentino
Shirley Long

Processional
Christ Community Church
Easter Choir

—

Music by

“Adagio for Strings,” String Quartet, Op. 11 by Samuel Barber, performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, Sony Music, 1971.

“Prelude” by Scott Brasher and J. A. C. Redford on Unveiled Hope by Michael Card, performed by the London Session Orchestra, featuring Hunter Lee, conducted by J. A. C. Redford, Myrrh, 1977.

Video by

His Only Son, directed by David Helling, starring Nicolas Mouawad as Abraham, Sara Seyed as Sarah, Edaan Moskowitz as Isaac, and Dan da Silva as the Lord, Angel Studios, 2023.

Jesus of Nazareth, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, Yorgo Voyagis as Joseph, and Michael York as John the Baptist, ITC Entertainment, 1977.

The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Icon Productions/Newmarket Films, 2004.

Licensed By

Christian Copyright Licensing International No. 21229380

Christian Video Licensing International No. 21-03851831

Little Boys and Their Mud

On March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

Boy, oh boy, do the boys ever love their dirt. And mud. And sunshine. That’s one of the delights of the recent winter thaw. They’ve been cooped up for what feels—to them—like an eternity, and now they get to play outside again. (For now, anyway. Pennsylvania weather tends to be schizophrenic, so we’ll see how long this lasts.) I kind of liked not having to do yard work, but here we are at the dawn of another season to weed, mow, plant, water, etc.

Holy Week preps are in full swing, as is the current (tedious) section of my dissertation. On top of all that, there are a lot of other projects that seem to be stacking up. But I had to take a moment to post some pics of Samuel and Levi, as it’s been a while. Have I mentioned lately how much I love these guys?

Etc.

Just had a marvelous Zoom session with a seminary student. He’s an INFJ on the MBTI, the rarest of the combinations (less that 3 percent of the population). We get along swimmingly. I’d love to put him on staff, but he’s already spoken for.

A ‘Sweet’ Shoutout on a Subsection of My Dissertation

On February 24, 2026March 6, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn Bible & TheologyLeave a comment

More than anyone else, Dr. Leonard Sweet has taught me how to think in pictures, especially with regard to the biblical storyline. Truth be told, he’s taught me how to look at all of life that way, too, and I am grateful for it. That’s how children start out their lives. They see images before they see texts. They imagine real things before they ponder invisible abstractions. (Do you see the word “image” inside the word “imagination”?)

Quite significantly, that’s how grownups dream, too—not in propositions but in pictures. One might say that visuality is viscerality when it comes to being human. It’s part and parcel of who we are as creatures made in the image of God.

That’s one of the reasons I love science; it’s really the study of God’s imagination, which comes into existence as a creation we can see and touch. With true cosmic genius, the Lord has surrounded us with terrestrial and celestial treasures, often causing our mouths to fall open in wonder. Whether we look through the telescope or the microscope, we see incredible images. Things. Pictures. Marvels. And all of them tell a story of their maker.

For our sake, God tends to be tactile, though he himself is intangible. He is “high and lifted up,” yet “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” People touched him and heard him say, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” Jesus is “God with us” all the way down.

Knowing the impact Len’s teaching had on a specific subsection of my dissertation, I shared it with him a few months ago to get his feedback. A PDF of that segment is provided below should you be interested in reading it. It’s far too pedantic, but that’s because it’s an exegetical dissertation, which is just the nature of the beast.

Len did a great job distilling its essence and translating the most important parts of it for all of us. He’s still the boss when it comes to inspiring and edifying through imagery. The subsection is called “The Veil as a Garment of God.” Len writes:

My colleague Tim Valentino just blew my mind with this: the temple was never only architecture—it was anatomy. Not just structure, but story. Not just stone, but skin.

In his work on the semiotics of the Temple, Tim shows how the Bible doesn’t merely describe the tabernacle as a building—it describes it like a body. The text speaks of a “head” (rosh), “face” (paneh), “rib” (tsela), “shoulder” (katef), and even “hands/fingers” (yadot).

And the veil? It functions like a sacred garment, shielding God’s radiant presence—just as Moses once wore a veil after meeting with God.

Here’s the breathtaking part: when the temple veil was torn at Christ’s crucifixion, it wasn’t just fabric ripping. Tim suggests it was like God’s own garment being torn in grief, echoing the ancient act of rending clothes in mourning. That moment becomes a divine lament over the death of His Son—and a new opening into God’s presence.

Suddenly, New Testament images of our bodies as temples and even the puzzling line in Hebrews about Christ’s body being the curtain (Hebrews 10:20) come alive.

For anyone still doubting the importance of semiotics to understanding Scripture and culture, let me say this again: God has been speaking through patterns, symbols, and metaphors all along—if we train our eyes (and hearts) to see them.

Thanks, Len, for helping me learn how to use the right side of my brain. To use only the left side is to be half human … and only half as effective in communicating the beauty, truth, and goodness of God in Scripture.

I used to have the privilege of teaching with Len in the Doctor of Theology program at Kairos Evangelical Seminary, and I miss getting to do that. Maybe someday we’ll be able to reunite in the classroom. But right now, the research and writing call for lots of focus. And thinking in pictures.

Dr. Sweet can be found online in numerous places. If my math is correct, he has published over 70 books by now.

(Valentino) The Veil as the Garment of God Download

Valentime’s Day

On February 14, 2026February 14, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

I suppose all children call it “Valentime’s Day” at first. Then they get to a certain age where they realize, “Hey, it’s actually called, ‘Valentine’s Day.'” And then they start saying it correctly, much like when they make the transition from “libary” to “library.” I’m not about to correct Samuel and Levi on either word just yet. There’s plenty of time for that. And then there’s a final correction they’ll need to learn when I tell them it’s actually “Valentino’s Day,” but that’s another post. 😍

Last night we had them over for pizza-movie night, and we told them we would decorate, set out some candles, and have a special dinner for them (although they absolutely forbade us from making any food substitutions for the pizza). They got so excited for the holiday special that they insisted on wearing their nice outfits we got them for Christmas Eve, complete with bowties.

It was an overload of cuteness. This morning they opened their gifts and had a marvelous time. A Valentime. One to remember. Below are some pics and vids from the past couple weeks.

The table is set for the Valentime special.

Levi painted me a red picture because I’m a Phillies fan.

Levi painted his arm, too.

The fireplace is ready for indoor S’mores.

Trying to make the marshmallows golden brown.

Water and food coloring are the ingredients for ice blocks.

And then we build our building with the colored ice bricks.

And a snowman in the front of the house.

Learning the Cha Cha Slide for Uncle Tino’s wedding.

Friday Randomness

On February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn Friday Fun2 Comments

“The conscious water saw its master and blushed.”
– Alexander Pope (on Jesus turning the water into wine)

I think it’s one of the most beautiful sentences in the English language.

A new way to have breakfast in bed:

And since I’m a pastor, I have to say, “My yolk is over easy, and my bedding is white.” (cf. Matthew 11:30)

I saw an interesting bumper sticker this week that had a Philadelphia Phillies logo on it.

Yes, and given all that did not happen during the off-season by way of trades, I think my team needs a lot of prayer.

A new mom managed to capture that precious moment when her twins discovered each other for the first time.

Twins discovering each other for the first time
byu/rgatoNacho inMadeMeSmile

Double the cuteness!

I never learned about this creature in school. It’s a red-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini), a fish of unusual morphology.

STOP SCROLLING (for a second).

This is a Red-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini)

Yes…It is real. pic.twitter.com/UMawVIVbmG
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) February 6, 2026

These oddballs can be found around the Galápagos Islands and off the coast of Ecuador and neighboring regions. It always looks ready for a date.

Rest in peace, Scott Adams.

(With apologies to James Gleick and his thoughts on chaos theory.)

Pride and Prejudice meets the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator:

For the record, I’m an INTJ. (In Star Wars, I’m Darth Sidious, so I’m going with Jane Austen on this one.)

It might be time for a new headshot and pencil sketch. My face is a bit thinner now, and there’s a slight bit of graying at the temples, though not a lot.

Maybe I’ll ask the photog at Drew’s wedding to snap a new one. What do you think?

Do I get any points for not mentioning Samuel and Levi in this post?

Uhm … oops.

Three Duck Quacks in a Row

On January 29, 2026January 31, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn General2 Comments

French is my second language, and I find it much easier to read and speak than to hear. That’s because all the silent letters make any words spoken quickly hard to discern if it’s not your native tongue. There are too many options to sort through quickly in your mind.

When I was in Paris several years ago, it was much easier to read signs and menus, and even order food and taxi cabs, than to comprehend what people were saying in the Métro. (It really is true, though, that French people appreciate when Americans try to speak the language. They just smile politely when you butcher it.)

The other challenge « en français » is that the plethora of short vowels and nasal sounds makes the language hard to sing. As my lyric-soprano wife likes to say, “There’s just no way to make ‘/ɛ̃/’ sound pretty.” Ditto, /ɑ̃/, /ɔ̃/, and /œ̃/. (If you don’t know the international phonetic alphabet, just blow your nose to imitate a duck, and you’ll approximate those sounds.)

The saving grace in French music—particularly classical songs and opera—is that short vowels can be lengthened, emphasized, and given specific rhythmic weight to fit the musical phrasing. Additionally, for two back-to-back nasal sounds, the first syllable can be lengthened, and the second can stay short, as in the famous Christmas carol:

“Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant”
(“He Is Born, the Divine Child”)

The ending syllable in “divin” normally would be short and nasal, but that would give you three duck quacks in a row (i.e., “in,” “en,” and “fant”). Therefore, French music allows the singer to pronounce the word “divin” as “diveen” to minimize the quacking.

Merci beaucoup.

All that said, I was captivated by the beauty and passion of “Maison” (“Home”) as sung by “Lucie,” a 15-year-old year old French singer who gained popularity for her performances on The Voice Kids France. It was written and composed by the aptly named Emilio Piano, whose score is exquisite. Below is the approximate English translation, though I may have missed an idiom or two. C’est la vie.

Enjoy!

Home

Where do we go?
When we no longer have a home?
Flowers grow from under the concrete
Mom, tell me
Where do we go?

Will we really know one day?
Or are we just faking it, all the time?
Where does our heart go when it gets lost?
In its doubts and winters?
Why is every day the same?
Will we end up seeing what we have put together?
Mom, tell me

Over yonder
From the storm, there is
Love, love, love
When heaven opens up
Everything becomes calm again
And all is well

Where does it go?
Happiness, that fragile thread,
When it wobbles and breaks?
Mom, tell me
Where does it go?

Why does the world seem so big,
When we become just a bit bigger than before?
What happens to dreams that are lost?
And memories that we forget?
Will I always have questions?
Maybe I’ll make them into songs.
Mom, tell me

Over yonder
From the storm, there is
Love, love, love
When heaven opens up
Everything becomes calm again
And all is well

‘The Pendragon Cycle’ Launches

On January 25, 2026January 27, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

The Pendragon Cycle is a historical fantasy series by American writer Stephen R. Lawhead. Comprising seven books published from 1987 to 1999, including a prequel from 2025, the saga reimagines the Arthurian legend, blending myth and magic with historical elements of post-Roman Britain. It focuses on the charmed lives of Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur, exploring themes of good vs. evil, overcoming leadership challenges, and a sense of destiny pondered by the characters as they navigate a world of chaos, curses, and war.

Recently the Daily Wire dropped the first two episodes of its ambitious adaptation. Part Braveheart and part Lord of the Rings, it is quite well done for the budget it had. The cinematography is exquisite, the costumes are spectacular, and the music is beautiful. Even the acting is quite good, which is no small accomplishment since it’s not easy for a conservative media company to book top-tier names from the Hollywood “liberati.” Still, the cast members they were able to land are all solid so far. The green screen and CGI are adequate, though not always compelling. Some sequences are better than others, but the pacing and storytelling techniques more than make up for such hiccups.

Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing created, produced, and directed the project. He is to be commended for including historic references to the expansion and influence of the Christian faith throughout the realm during this period, a worldwide movement displacing much of the Druidism and Celtic spirituality that existed beforehand. Too many productions of the Arthurian legend leave that key component out of the story.

If traditionalists want to influence the culture, they need to create good art, not just conservative commentary. And this is good art. I’m looking forward to episode 3, which is due out next week.

Post-Holiday Update

On January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

My apologies for such a long hiatus. Life has been full and meaningful since posting three weeks ago. I just needed that “long winter’s nap” to recover from everything. 🙂 But I’ve missed you! Anyway, our Christmas Eve candlelight service was rich and wonderful, not to mention well attended. Samuel and Levi practiced their parts (singing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” while standing next to me with lit candles), and they nailed it.

After worship, we watched—at Drew’s request—the first part of Jesus of Nazareth, focusing on the Gospel Infancy Narratives. Peter Ustinov hits it out of the park as Herod the Great. Olivia Hussey (what a name for someone playing the blessed virgin Mary!) is likewise stellar in her role as the mother of Christ. In fact, except for a few duds along the way, this epic film from the mid-80s is very well cast and perfectly set. I have the script almost memorized.

Our Christmas Day celebration was magical, too, especially with the boys growing in their awareness of what the fuss is really all about. After verifying that Jesus was in the manger, and singing “Happy Birthday” to him, we read together from Matthew 2 and then opened our gifts. Christmas dinner followed, and then the kids were off to their next stop.

The next day we traveled to Delaware and spent half a week with Sonya’s siblings and their families. The food and desserts we enjoyed were amazing, but my stomach (thankfully) can’t hold what it used to, and it (unthankfully) lets me know that in various ways! It’s great to be down 65 lbs., but I’d still like to go 15 more. That might require getting back in the pool. We’ll see.

On Sunday, January 4, we hosted an Epiphany party at our house for neighbors, friends, and church members. That, too, was well attended, and it was fun to connect with all who came. I get a little sad when all the festivities are over, but there’s much to look forward to in the coming year. Leading the list is Andrew’s wedding in May. In addition to planning on all the arrangements, he and An are looking for a house close to where they work.

Right now, Sight & Sound is in their “changeover” period, which means long and strange hours as they get ready for their new show (Joshua). It’s a massive effort to coordinate all aspects of a major theater production. The new cast rehearses during the day, which pushes the tech team to have to work second- and third-shift hours. But I’m already getting hints that it’s going to be amazing.

Additionally, their film, A Great Awakening, is set to release in theaters on Easter weekend. Andrew has a small role in it, and Sonya is an extra—a townsperson attending Whitefield’s revival service. With multiple takes for that scene, she says she got saved seven times during the filming. 🙂

Yesterday we celebrated Micah’s birthday here at our house, complete with a big dinner from Tosco’s. His boys love him to pieces, as do we. He’s such a good husband and father, and he just got elected (unanimously) to be a deacon at his church. He’s also a big cheese where he works, and they love the value he brings to the practice.

My own research and writing efforts have included a massive study on the Trinity, along with my doctoral dissertation on the torn veil in the temple. Both are going well, albeit slower than I would like. The outside teaching and speaking calendar is also coming into view, and it looks like the year ahead will be full and inspirational. I suppose my main prayer request would be for good health, energy, and focus to accomplish it all. There’s a lot of noise in the world right now, and it’s all too easy to be sucked into the vortex of its never-ending brokenness.

Until the warm weather returns, I’ll be inside the house building forts with Samuel and Levi. They recently discovered the magic of creating their little man caves, and I’m here for it.

Be well.

Less on the face means more in the belly!

I wonder where Andrew gets his silliness from.

Every year Micah defiles our Nativity scene. This year it was a Crystal Cave sign.

Getting ready for the kids to stop by on Christmas morning.

Lyrics we were singing to my mom when she went to be with Jesus.

Speaking of mid-80s, here’s a schmaltzy one from that period. Anyway, it’s nice to be back.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 p.m.

On December 23, 2025December 23, 2025 By Tim ValentinoIn GeneralLeave a comment

Local friends, the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Christ Community Church (Myerstown, PA) is one of the highlights of our church calendar. Our theme this year is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” from Luke 15:11-24. The service will be held at 7:00 p.m. and will feature traditional Christmas carols, a brass ensemble, a holiday message, and the lighting of candles during “Silent Night.”

A nursery will be provided. Plates for a benevolence offering will be available at the back of the sanctuary to help needy families in our community. Invite a friend to come find hope and encouragement in the good news of Jesus Christ at Christ Community Church.

Join us online or in person.

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH
121 S. College Street (Route 501)
Myerstown, PA 17067
(717) 866-5353

Located 1 mile south of Route 422

A Place to Hope. A Place to Heal.

From Granny Flat to Primary Bedroom

On December 15, 2025December 15, 2025 By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

O.k., here it is—a video walk-through of our new primary bedroom. Sorry my voice is so scratchy. I must have uncorked the sermon pretty good yesterday. LOL. Anyway, this was the major home improvement project in 2025, converting my mother-in-law’s little apartment (a.k.a. the granny flat) to our primary bedroom. I especially like the batten board accent wall. And I had to show you the “round-and-round tree,” as the boys call it. They think it’s magical, just like I did when I was a little boy. Enjoy!

Never without Hope

On December 15, 2025December 15, 2025 By Tim ValentinoIn General1 Comment

It was a sad weekend in our neck of the woods. First, we got news that one of our parishioners, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, will need a second (and more aggressive) round of chemotherapy to reach remission before her care team will do any bone marrow treatments. We feel horrible on her behalf, but we are not without hope.

Second, a parishioner from a previous church had her ashes spread on Saturday. Her husband and sons are in deep grief for this wife and mother who died all too young. “For dust you are, and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). She knew Christ as her Lord and Savior, so here again, we are not without hope.

Finally, we got news yesterday that my sister-in-law had to put her dog Buddy down. We would dog sit him whenever she and her husband went on vacation. Rescued out of a horrible situation nine years ago, Buddy was the kindest, most chill creature we’ve ever known. Yet even here we are not without hope. Apparently, all dogs go to heaven. (Except for Puffy, the demon-possessed Pomeranian.)

All this came on the heels of a hellish news week, one featuring terrorism and death around the world and here at home. Again. (And some of it was done in the name of the twisting of one of the world’s major religions.) Who cannot sympathize with the ancient lament, “How long, O Lord?”

But through all the hard times of life, God cares for his people. That’s why he came to us on that first Christmas. God in Christ didn’t avoid the miseries of this world. Rather, he entered into those miseries, experienced them firsthand, and then swallowed them up. He’s coming again someday to make all things new. In the meantime, we can count on his lavishing love to carry us through the hard times.

Bethany told me a while back that she won’t be able to attend a Christmas Eve service when I’m gone. I said to my precious little girl, “You need to be brave and go light those candles like you always do. The light they hold represents all that gives us hope beyond the grave.”

Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Christmas Eve—and all that it represents—is everything. Everything.

Have a good cry if you need to when life is hard. “Blessed are those who mourn,” said Jesus. He should know. Christ had tears streaming down his own cheeks on more than one occasion, too. He was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” So you’re in good company if you “lose it” once in a while. It’s o.k. to not be o.k. for a season. After all, it’s only a season. “Joy comes in the morning.”

So, dare to cling to hope. And let Hope himself cling to you. The Christmas manger leads to an empty tomb. It’s still a Christ-kissed earth that we live on, so we are never without hope.