Merry Christmas Eve!

As I’ve been reading through the Christmas story the last few weeks, I keep going back to the passage in Luke 2 where Luke describes Jesus’ birth and Mary placing her baby in the manger. It’s right after that sweet account in the stable that Luke takes a hard turn to writing about the shepherds hearing of Jesus’ birth by the angels.

Shepherds, of all people, being among the first to hear the story of Christmas—that’s a good word for us.

I’m reminded that only in Jesus do those who seem to lack in significance (e.g., shepherds) suddenly become essential characters in the greatest story ever told. It makes me think of the similar insignificance I’m prone to feel in the daily grind of parenting—so many asks and sometimes little thanks.

But it’s as the shepherds were simply keeping watch over their flock that Jesus brought them into the larger story. It’s in those seemingly small places of faithfulness in our own lives that Jesus uses the mundane for his glory.

We are anything but overlooked with Jesus. He takes our small stories and weaves them in the fabric of HIS greater story.

Take a few minutes to thank Jesus today for your family. Ask him to remind you that what you’re doing each day for your family matters and has kingdom significance.

This week as we’re celebrating Jesus, I’m excited to re-release one of my favorite interviews to date on Pardon the Mess. Priscilla Shirer joined us with a powerful message on identity that’s the perfect word as we wrap up a hard year.

Priscilla is a wife, Bible teacher, mom, actress, and so much more. There’s so much to love about Priscilla, but what always sticks with me is the way she speaks so freely and powerfully about her faith while also practically reminding us of what really matters as we go about our days.

Priscilla and I had the opportunity to talk about her life as she raises her three boys and how she builds them up with statements of affirmation. She reminds us that living in a place of knowing our true identity in Christ means all of our decisions come from the truth. When we do that, it shifts how we live our lives.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the last few minutes as she talks honestly about the difficulties her family has faced the last few years and gives us words of encouragement for when we walk hard roads of loss and discouragement.

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Armin Meiwes: Cannibal with a Heart of Gold