That’s what we are celebrating today. God arrived on the scene, as a helpless baby. He put a lot of trust in a young couple to make a lot of tough decisions in difficult circumstances.

But he didn’t leave them alone and without resources. Some two years after Jesus was born, the wise men showed up with a load of gold, incense and herbs. The young family was about to have to make a quick move to Egypt and their Heavenly Father funded the trip in advance. Nice!

I don’t know where your faith is. I certainly don’t have all the answers. But I have come to trust the heart of my Father in heaven. I know he’s good. I know that he’s not pissed with me. I know that losing Kristi was not an act of divine retribution or callousness. In fact the message of the Christmas angel to the shepherds in the field was in effect this: “God has come to earth, walking as one of you. He trusts you. He’s at peace with you and his favor rests on humankind.”

I don’t know why Kristi died. I’m not going to wrap it up in spiritual language and call it good. It sucked. Still does. I don’t have an answer from God as to why. I’m not really asking that question. It happened. The question I have asked is, “Can I trust God?” In the midst of mind-altering pain, can I trust him? When just willing myself to take a deep breath so I don’t scream seems like a monumental achievement, does He care? Am I alone and without resources?

On the anniversary of Kristi’s death, He brought me back to that place of trust in his character, his heart for me, his trust in me to make tough decisions in difficult circumstances. You can read about it here.

On this Christmas night, my prayer for you is that you would also find Him trustworthy. That you would discover that he is good and he is pleased with you. That’s why Jesus came. To open up access to his Father’s heart so we could all share in that same presence. I hope you find it.

Training is awesome. Jesus is better.

Merry Christmas!