How would love respond to the statistics that reflect the fact that Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other women in Canada?

The Salvationist’s theology of creation care is like a three-legged stool, focusing on our relationship with God, with each other and to the earth. Damage, breakdown, brokenness and loss to any one of the three legs must be repaired so that the stool can function for the purpose it was created.

At The Salvation Army's tent in Siret, on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, two women receive support after fleeing their homes in Ukraine.

Major Irene Mathison is an officer in The Salvation Army’s Norway, Iceland and Færoes Territory. Currently, she is deployed as a member of the movement’s international emergency services team to Romexpo, a large conferencing and exhibition centre in the Romanian capital, Bucharest. This arena has become the city’s major hub with 2,000 emergency beds and an array of support services, free food and clothing. The Salvation Army was the first non-governmental organization to partner with the city authorities and has taken a major role in assisting the hundreds of refugees that pass through each day. Major Mathison spoke to David Giles about her experiences.

Kirill turned 21 days old the day he crossed the Ukrainian-Romanian border through Siret customs. He was born on March 2, 2022, in the northern region of Kyiv, Vyshorod, in the bunker of a local hospital. 

When all has been said and done, this season called generativity—guiding the next generation—is one to give away all that has been gathered, the treasures and the resources, as well as the wisdom learned over the years.

It is very encouraging to read Bible stories, as I find it so easy to identify with some of the people in the Bible. One person that stands out for me is Elijah. He is this amazing prophet with an incredible ministry. The high point of Elijah’s career came when he had a showdown with the prophets of Baal and won (see 1 Kings 18). God moved

Jesus can do amazing things when we give him our puny little offerings—when we give him our “nothing.” In his hands, “nothing” can become “something.”

This Christmas season, while so much feels unsure, reading a familiar story with our children can bring a sense of peace and safety. There are so many good books to choose from—here are just a few ideas that stretch across time, nations and culture. 

Gratitude is best cultivated when we take whatever time necessary to sit with our grief, embrace suffering and resist numbing out in the face of hardship. It’s these very things that become the means to cultivating an intimate and more honest connection with God.