It is with a very grateful heart that I wish all of you Merry Christmas this year.  As I reflect on Christmas this year, I am drawn to how absolutely stunning the difference  that one person, yes one person, has made on the course of history, and of course, more specifically, in our own lives.

Beyond the undeniable ways that the life of Christ has impacted cultures, shaped governments, and launched movements, the gift of his life provides remarkable, irreplaceable things for us as his followers.  Of course the first thing is the ultimate gift of salvation, which gives us great hope for our eternity.  In Jesus, we also have the ultimate example of obedience in the midst of sufferings, for us to draw on as we endeavor to persevere through difficult times. And, as leaders, we have the ultimate model to follow and learn from as we seek to lead in more transformational ways.

Going further with the gifts he gives, he always wants to know us better, to bring greater life to us.  What a stunning thing, given the messes that we all are.  He is always willing to enter further into our hearts, and be a part of our stories on deeper and deeper levels. I have drawn on this reality more and more of late, especially with my therapy clients who have experienced physical and sexual abuse.  I have been compelled to nudge them to invite Jesus into those deeply wounded places in their hearts, where the abuse left terrible scars of shame, humiliation and self-hatred.  As these precious souls have gradually found the courage to invite Jesus into those spaces, he has graciously, mysteriously, and gradually entered in and brought healing, freedom, and light into those formerly dark and tortured places.  What an amazing man this Jesus is.

And, the same is true for all of us.  He is more than willing, given how generous and loving he is, to go deeper into our hearts, to bring greater light and life to our souls.   He actually is glad to do that–although he must be invited–he doesn’t just bust into our souls– and as you do invite him and let him work, he will likely have such rich aspirations for you,  that you may find it hard to take them in.

As time inches closer to celebrating the arrival of God’s perfect Son, the one being in the history of the world who can change your life more than anyone else, I invite you to receive the gift of Jesus further into your heart, deeper into your life.  May you know, in ways that are increasingly undeniable, the ultimate gift of God’s son in your heart, in your story.  May it take you into the New Year with greater hope, greater passion, and greater resolve to live out His good dreams for your life.

With that, Merry Christmas to you!