"It All Began at Christmas…"

In just a couple of days, we will again be singing, “All is calm, all is bright,” to celebrate Christmas. And although those lyrics are beautiful and meaningful, let’s not forget that Christmas is first and foremost D-day for the rescue mission of God.

In other words, Christmas is an invasion.

As the Scriptures describe it, Christmas marks the day God got Himself born into our created world, and Bethlehem was His beachhead. By getting Himself born as a baby, He was able to launch the long-promised rescue mission that would get the Father’s world back (see John 1:14, Matthew 1:20-23, Luke 2:10-14, John 3:16, Colossians 1:19-20, Galatians 4:4-7, 1 John 3:8, Revelation 21:5).

When we sing “Silent Night,” we rightly think of Jesus being born and placed in a manger. But to the forces of hell, His birth was a strategic strike marking the beginning of their end. They knew it was coming. It had been foretold from of old. They just couldn’t stop it (see Isaiah 9:1-7, Revelation 12:1-9).

You see, Christmas was the invasion that led to the cross and empty tomb. And with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the renewal of all things was established as an irrevocable conclusion.

Revelation 21:5, “Behold I have made everything new!”

But, understand this: while the rescue mission of God has begun and the renewal of all things is inevitable, right now the yeast of that renewal is still spreading throughout the loaf. The Good News of God is still making its way deeper into the neighborhoods of the world. It is spreading. It will not be reversed. But there are still people who are waiting for what Jesus offers.

And that’s why you and I are invited to join Jesus in 2026. We get to be a part of His invasion of renewal.

Have you noticed the unrest in the world, in your community, or in your own family? Those are all signals that the rescue mission of God is still pressing forward and that the forces of hell are still pressing back (see John 16:33). And, wherever we notice those forces pressing back, that’s where we are invited to step in with the counter-forces of Jesus’ love, joy, peace, and Good News.

We are not only beneficiaries of this rescue mission of God; we are agents of it. Wherever peace will prevail, wherever love and joy will reemerge, wherever forgiveness begins to overcome vengeance, and wherever renewal starts to set in, know this: it’s because people like you are somewhere in the middle joining Jesus.

It all began at Christmas.

But the work is ongoing.

Enjoy your new year of adventuring with Jesus!

"Do for One"

What you wish could be done for all, do for one.

I know there are a number of public figures who have said something similar over the last few years.  And they are spot-on.

What you wish could be done for all, do for one person.

Jesus put an even deeper twist on it when He said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one… you did for Me.”

Wow.

What if He meant that?

He didn’t say, “Whatever you wished for everyone…” He said, “Whatever you did for one…”

We are closing fast on Thanksgiving and then we zoom into Advent.

Let’s take a hot minute and think.

Instead of a storm of “doing” for the sake of “tradition” during this holiday season, let’s focus and actually do something for one person. An elderly neighbor.  A single parent.  An immigrant.  A person the rest of the neighborhood overlooks or simply abhors.

One person who is alone.  One person who is in danger of having no one notice.  One person who needs a friend.  One person who needs one person to come alongside them during these festive days so they do not slide into a black hole… again.  One. Person.

We all wish we could do something big.  Something that could make a huge difference.  Something that could affect everyone who needed something.

Nice sentiment.  In the meantime, nothing actually gets done for anyone.

Let’s reverse that trend this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What you wish you could do for all, do for one.

A congregation in Charlotte I am working with had a simple but great idea.  They put it this way, “This holiday season: Focus on One.” They suggest using the weeks of advent as the pace. 

Week 1: Pray. Think.  Go around and ask other neighbors.  Who can use some help this holiday season?  Who could use a hand?  Who could use a visitor?  Who could use some relief?  Who is living without the grace and truth of Jesus?

Week 2: Pray for the person.  Daily.  Several times a day, in fact.  Why not?  That’s easy enough, right?  Lift them up in the name of Jesus before the Father of Love.  Then reach out.  Introduce yourself.  Stop by. Bring a gift. Say hi. Ask how they are. Ask if there is anything a neighbor might be able to help with.

Week 3: Circle back. Let the person know you are around.  You care.  You notice and want to be of service to them.  The Bible says to love our neighbors, and you intend to get better at it.  Invite them to something enjoyable… a gathering, a meal, a game night, an excuse to spend time together rather than remain alone.  Be creative.  Have fun with it.  Google it.  You can think of something.

Week 4: Circle back again.  Speak value and worth to them.  Look at their eyes.  Do you see the hope?  Do you see the glimmer of joy?  Invite them to join you for a holiday gathering.  Invite them to spend Christmas Eve with you.  (Or if you are reading this before Thanksgiving, to come for Thanksgiving dinner).

The point is simple: What you wish could be done for all, do for one.

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them,” John 13:17.

This could be a very cool holiday season for you and your neighbors.

Let’s do it.