Let us not forget the birth of Christ in the Christmas "off-season." But remember it as the beginning of our faith. And let us look forward to the next year, where we will continue to show Native communities that God loves them and will never leave them.

The desire to “go home” is in the hearts of many Native Americans, too. 

Jesus also left His home. But He chose to do that because He longed for everyone to live with Him in heaven (John 3:16 and 1 Timothy 2:4). Trusting in His work of salvation on the cross fulfills the longings in our hearts. 

We can, through faith in Christ, enjoy His completed work on the cross looking forward to an eternity with Him. "And from His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace" (John 1:16)

Not just grace, but grace upon grace! A double portion of underserved favor and love from God!

How did the Wise Men worship Jesus? Bow down and give gifts. A quick visit, in and out? Probably not. The best guess is: They spent lots of time with the toddler Jesus. They came, and they stayed, but we aren’t told for how long. And they gave gifts. Not just a few little presents, nicely wrapped with bows, they brought treasure, lots of treasure. This is what it means to worship, to invest significant time and treasure to honor the King.

He said, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 ESV)

He is the All-Powerful Warrior Jesus. He is the light in the sky that we follow as we move through our daily lives. He is our compass for the year ahead.

It is true that we are all frogs and toads, and the post-Christmas lull can cause us to forget, but we who are now alive in Christ have a Prince who has rescued us and promises us peace for today and hope of eternal life with Him. With whatever croaky voices we have been given, let us sing His praises everyday!

For this woman, the truth of the Gospel changed her.  It touched her heart, and it showed in her outer being. This is the power of the Bible-based trauma care we use at Lutheran Indian Ministries.

Grace that was to be ours. Grace that saves us from all our sin. The heavens could not contain it! The angels had witnessed Jesus leave heaven to be born a man; this sweet babe, the salvation of mankind. What's not to shout about?!

The best Christmas gift we have received, and the one we get to share, is the opportunity to walk with Jesus.

Death comes with such finality. It leaves us reeling and yearning, with a tremendous sense of loss. It shadows us in darkness while we struggle in it. Yet, death is a part of life. Part of the Good News we celebrate at Christmas is God, through the birth of His Son, Jesus, has not abandoned us in this dark experience of death.