I often ask my kids where they saw Jesus in their day. I’d like to share my answer to this question with you all. In the last 24 hours, I’ve seen Jesus in a husband, a song, and a mom.

Last night, I read an update from a husband who has been alongside his wife while she battles cancer. After sharing specifics of results, he ended his update with these words (shared with permission):

“But above all else, I want to reiterate that Stephanie had not given up, and she will not give up. I will not give up on her, either. She is fighting, and all of us around her are fighting alongside her. And if you’re reading this, you can help us fight, too, by taking a moment to pray for Stephanie’s healing, if you believe in such things (as both Stephanie and I do). If you’d rather just take a moment and spare a few good thoughts for Stephanie, we would greatly appreciate that, too. I don’t have the time right now to go into a lengthy doctrinal argument, but my faith doesn’t require God to heal Stephanie to somehow “prove” himself. He can, and he might choose to do so, especially if we pray on her behalf and ask him to. But his nature as a just, loving God doesn’t depend on his always answering our prayers in the way that we would choose. Still, though, that doesn’t stop us from passionately asking him to “let this cup pass from us” and to perform a supernatural healing.

Ultimately, we believe that God has the power to heal Stephanie, whether through a totally supernatural event, or through a medical solution that would be completely unorthodox and unexpected at this point. We don’t know if he will do so in this situation, but we know he has the power to do so. So if you will continue to join us in fighting for Stephanie in prayer or in sharing good thoughts for Stephanie, I would personally appreciate it! Thank all of you who have supported us in this fight, and we’re not even close to done yet!”

What great faith-in-action this is. I literally cannot read Jason’s words without weeping in awe of this God-given strength, this God-granted faith.

This morning, on the way to work, Celine Dion’s “O Holy Night” came on the radio. Whew! Her voice is angelic. Here, tears welled in my eyes again. These specific song lyrics were the cause of my tears of gratefulness:

“Til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth”

“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices”

“Fall on your knees”

“And in His Name, all oppression shall cease”

I’ve been feeling so much this season that we’ve come so very far from the manger, in light of all the materialism surrounding Christmas. This song verbalizes exactly what Christmas is all about.

In light of Christ’s arrival, we can find our worth.

This world is so weary, yet this babe brought rejoicing for a “thrill of hope“!

As for the “Fall on your knees” part, I just cannot wait to do this for all eternity! Where the only thing on my To-Do list is to worship God!

And then, the reminder that at the very whisper of His Name, all oppression will end.

Spreading the name of Jesus, making other disciples of Jesus, sharing the hope that separates disciples of Jesus from others, is what it is all about. Sharing the gift that has been freely given and is there for the receiving.

Then, this morning, I met a mom, who in just a short amount of time demonstrated what trusting in God’s sovereignty looks like. Instead of being upset at a closed door, she was IMMEDIATELY grateful that God had made the decision for her. When I say, “immediately”, I mean like, without even a SECOND of hesitation. This is where practice makes perfect, as she shared stories where she’s learned to trust God’s sovereignty in her life. I told her that I wished I could bottle her outlook and share it with others, which may be exactly what God has planned for her life story—using her experiences to testify of God’s work in her life.

For all these “Jesus moments”, I’m grateful, and I pray that whomever is reading this, is able to see Jesus in their moments too.

Lord, thank You for allowing me to see You in so many ways today. Thank You for using these great people of faith whom you’ve crossed my path with to remind me what trusting in You looks like. Thank You for beautiful songs that remind me what Christmas is all about. Lord, please reveal Yourself to those around me, those whom have not yet placed their trust, their life, in You. My greatest Christmas wish/prayer/longing would be that all come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Amen.