How do we handle heartbreak like the one in Newtown, Connecticut? Or the fact that there are 143 thousand orphans in the world today. What do we do with 27 million who are sold into slavery? The world is full of hardship, evil and suffering. How can I effectively counter such darkness?

John 15:16 talks about a great choice that God has made…

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” John 15:16

I like the word chosen, don’t you?

Mark 1:17 says this…

“Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17

This the greatest ongoing invitation ever given…nothing else compares. Entrance to the Kingdom of God is open and available.

You do you know…In the book of Mark we read

"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach." Mark 3:14

In this passage Jesus speaks purpose (he appointed) and identity (he named), which only happens...with Him. The journey as a disciple has to be WITH the Master, there is no purpose or identity without Him.

Why do we need courage to be a gatekeeper? Because there is an enemy who has a world view that involves lying, cheating and destroying lives. That includes our families and our communities.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

As we inch ever closer to Christmas day my heart fights to keep the focus on a Messiah who came to give us life. I think about a young Jewish girl…who was brave beyond belief. Mary teaches me that silence is good thing, that pondering on a message from God is a worship moment. Her story helps me focus.

Two thousand years ago, an unnamed innkeeper made room (unknown to him) for the Messiah to be born in the last space available…a stable. Perhaps it was compassion for the young pregnant woman and her distressed husband that moved the innkeeper to “make room”, perhaps it was simply a business deal. Whatever the innkeeper’s intent, this much is true…

When you make room for God, the miraculous happens.

I find the story of Joseph fascinating. His story inspires the family man inside of me…of all the people I want to meet in Heaven, he’s at the top of the list. His story makes me think.

I know my heart is hungry today. Christmas does this to me. I try to imagine what I would have done with a star announcing a messiah’s birth. Would I leave my land, my comfort to follow such a sign? What affect would a shepherd story and angel songs have on my life? Would the presence of soldiers threaten me away from belief?

Christmastime is signs and wonders time. I believe there are angel songs still filling the sky with the promise of the Messiah, wishing for a human ear to receive the Good News.