"Christmas season" what comes to your mind? If you're like most Christians, its shopping, feasting, decorating, parties, lights, choir rehearsals and Christmas programs an almost endless list of to do's that often become more burdensome than joyful. Trying to manage financial stress, family expectations, temptations to overeat and keep up with what's required can be overwhelming! Sometimes it doesn't make sense that this is our response to Jesus giving up heaven, humbling Himself to become like us The Word made flesh so we could have Christmas.

But it makes a lot of sense in the light of the parable of the sower in Mark 4. Here, the process of the Word becoming flesh in us is described as a progressive battle in our hearts which is the soil for the Word. We are told that first Satan comes to take it by force (4:15). If that doesn't work, he brings trouble and affliction because of the Word (4:17) to get us to let it go before the roots deepen. But once the Word really takes root in us,the enemy must change his tactics and choke it (4:19). There are three "weeds" described that do the job: (1) the worries and cares of this life, (2) the deceitfulness of riches and (3) the desire for other things. It's amazing to see that they are sown in greatest abundance at this season and how easily we "fertilize" them! Just as on the first Christmas, there is no room for Jesus. We may say we do it all for Him but if we're really honest, we will recognize the spirit of the world stamped all over it and realize that Christ, who longs to be formed in us, is not really welcome but choked out.

I didn't write this to put you on a guilt trip. I have truly grappled with this issue for years, even before I was shut in. I think we have become distracted partly because we have not known how to let Jesus in how to find fulfillment in Him and let Him be made full in us. So many Christians are suffering and feeling unfulfilled and this is intensified at Christmas. But more and more, I believe God is using this suffering to stir up our vision of becoming His true habitation. So I want to share a very special word which was whispered to me at Christmas a few years ago as I laid my growing disappointment before Him. May it bring hope and comfort to the suffering, light to those sitting in darkness and heart searching to those being swept away by the increasing flood of "weeds" from the world system.

We pray this Christmas will be the one where Jesus' Light grows brightest in your life. May you find true fulfillment in Him and may he find the joy of a dwelling place in your heart. We love you and thank you for your continued friendship. May this new year bring many new and wonderful things as we let God's light shine in. God bless you.

Whispers From Jesus at Christmas

Does your heart burn, dear one, with visions unfulfilled? Do not despair, for though the world be deepening in darkness, these visions from My Father are yours like flickering lights. And as you let them burn within, they will consume all that is unfit for Me and then burst like flames for all the world to see. For I Am the Light of the World and My Light is in you, however dim it may seem at the present.

You ask why do I wait to fulfill the dreams I gave you? Think, My dear ones of My earthly life. The Savior of the World in the form of a man. My heart was so stirred when I saw the curse, sickness and death at work all around Me. In Myself, I longed to move, but I could do nothing apart from My Father. You feel so powerless right now, but think of how I felt before My time came as I watched loved ones sick and dying knowing soon I could change it all, but not yet watching My father Joseph die, knowing soon I would raise others' loved ones from the dead. Do you know the tears of longing I shed before My Father in Heaven as I lived in the darkness with all men and could do nothing? How the evil one scorned Me then! I could almost have doubted My Father's plan, so great was My sorrow and grief. I fully shared the grief of the world as a man and then took it all upon Myself. Don't ever think you are alone in your grief or that I have forgotten what it was like to wait as a man to be clothed with power from on High. How I longed for that time to come in time for those I knew and loved!

Think much about this and how great was My Father's plan in the end. He has not forgotten you! And I forever remind Him of all your needs for I am fully touched by them. I wait still to be fully formed in My people just as you do. See My Light and know it is about to grow bright in all who have given themselves to Me. They are My Father's gift to Me and I enjoy then most on My Birthday when I remember what it was like to become like them.

Shine on, dear ones for Me. The smallest light can pierce the grossest darkness and no darkness can put it out!