Most Native tribes have stories about warriors, but none who brings salvation. So, we start at the beginning.

For Mary, it must have been a time of great joy and terror. Angels talking about her conception. Elizabeth and John leaping for joy. Zechariah’s prophecy of the forerunner of the Christ child: ”You will give the knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of their sin.” (Luke 1:77)

And Mary pondered.

Christ was still inside the womb and yet his specialness couldn’t be hidden from another unborn infant!

When was the last time you leaped for joy at the coming Christ?

Jesus grew from that baby in the manger to a man, crucified on the cross for our sins. He felt every shame, pain, and fear that we do. And because He understands, He desires to bless you, so you can be a blessing to others.

Jesus is the light, and it shines for all of us when we stop to see it. 

In God’s creation, we see his fingerprints everywhere, and when we look even closer, we can also see his plan for salvation and new life. 

This is our privilege to share with people on the Navajo reservation, this is our rock-solid promise built on the very blood of Christ.  Our sins have been paid for, we have received a quadruple comfort. 

I often wonder how people can make it through a world broken by sin and death without Jesus.

But we do have Jesus. The true light of the world.

Jesus continues to bless children of all ages through the Water and the Spirit. 

This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus' birth, let us remember that without His birth we could never have been reborn into His family.

I recognize many in our world did not receive this gift, and this is particularly true among our Native brothers and sisters.  They had earthly fathers who were cruel, absent, abusive, unloving, and self-centered.