Christmas Reflections

Santa BJ with a student at UCSD's annual Christmas party

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas. At least, on our block it is. As we enjoy Christmas lights, Little Drummer Boy playing in the background, and hanging our stash of ornaments on the tree, Sarah and I are also identifying strongly with the season of Advent... the themes of longing, waiting, hoping in the darkness.

As our life is in the most transition is has ever been in, we are praying and waiting on the Lord for Him to move. In many ways, we've felt like the Israelites, with our backs up against the Red Sea, looking at a charging Egyptian army with no escape route. And in the midst of that fear and chaos, we are praying to the God who parted the Red Sea.

We also identify with the chaos of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus. A bit nomadic, living in a culture of fear and paranoia, unsure of the future of their family. Isn't that quite a different picture than our happy Christmas cards? In the midst of such a dangerous and fearful time, God sent his son as a vulnerable baby, to an overwhelmed and I imagine a bit haggard young couple, trying to make sense of the world.

Pray with us this season for God's miraculous provision... in ministry, in our personal life, and in this season of transition for Sarah and I. We need God to break through our darkness. We are praying for all of you, especially if you find yourself in a place of waiting, in the darkness of the unknown.

An update on our fundraising goals... we have raised $2,200 of the $15,000 we are praying for. Pray with us through December that God would provide all we need.