Merry Christmas everyone!

The coffee is hot, it’s frosty outside, Bing Crosby is singing of a white Christmas and I have just sat down to write some “Home Waters” reports for Fish & Fly magazine.  Yes, yes…I sat down with the intention of doing something urgent and pressing but find myself engaging in a completely recreational foray into the world of “Christmas Letter” writing.  I’ve always been intrigued by this tradition and have now found an excuse (procrastination) to indulge. 

I mentioned Fish & Fly so I’ll start with that.  Almost exactly a year ago I was walking out of chapel at Northwest when my friend Nathan Moser approached me smiling.  He said, “Do you want to write for Fish & Fly?”  Dumb question, Nate.  Of course I want to write for Fish & Fly!  It’s been a dream of mine since I was 5 or 6 to write for an outdoor publication.  Nate proceeded to tell me about the gig and how his sister works for the editor and publisher of the magazine and how they were looking for a young writer to do the “Home Waters” reports.  A week later I was in the editor’s office getting my assignment.  This winter issue will be my one year anniversary with the magazine and it has been a truly unbelievable experience.  There is no other way to explain how I got this job other than God knowing the heart of a kid who loves to fly fish and loves to write. 

In May, I graduated from my home and college of 5 years—Northwest University—with a degree in Pastoral Ministries…well, kinda.  Don’t laugh.  A lot of people go to college for 5 years.  Of course, most of those get a degree.  I ended up failing my Pastoral Internship class by the mere margin of a “site reference form,” which is basically a piece of paper that has my supervising pastors’ signature on it.  I got it signed; it just never got to the professor’s hand apparently.  Don’t worry, they’ve given me an assignment to make up for it so I can get my diploma in a shade under a decade.

Along with the many exciting and funny things that have happened to me this year, I have experienced some incredibly painful times as well.  I know Christmas letters are supposed to be cheery and light but to truly tell a good story you must describe the darkness before you can appreciate the light.  My story is no different.

A month prior to graduating and becoming a pastor I made a huge mistake.  Rather, many mistakes I have made in my life came to the attention of my professors and pastors.  My sin was exposed to those I love most and they were hurt and felt betrayed.  The authorities in my denomination encouraged me to move home and pursue my calling to ministry by dealing with this sin issue and working with pastors and counselors who could help me on my road to repentance and recovery.  The last 6 months have been filled with brokenness and hope—brokenness because I know that my sin is real and hope because I know that my Savior is real.  I’ve heard it said that until we deal with our real sin, we cannot understand our need for a real Savior.  I understand that need.

In essence, the last 6 months have been about stripping my life down.  No preaching, no leading worship, no articles published in Christian magazines.  It is about living a simple life of faith in Jesus and loving people more than myself.  I’ve learned a lot about Jesus in my heart lately and I love him.  I love that his grace saved me from entering the ministry with a hollow faith.  I love that he loves me whether I am painting houses as a career or pastoring.  I love that his love for me doesn’t depend on my ability to behave like him.  This is the love that I will give my life for.

God saves the world by stripping down.  A baby wrapped in rags is the King of the Earth.  His crown would be of thorns, his throne a feeding trough, his scepter a shepherd’s staff, his subjects a group of children, drunkards, and prostitutes, and his glory a shameful cross.  This is the Jesus that came for me and you.

I pray that this Christmas would be stripped down for you.  Stripped down to the love of family and friends and most importantly a God who presented the first Christmas present to a broken creation bringing peace on earth and goodwill towards men.

Blessings and love,