From the Home Place

December 24, 2025

Good morning friends. I would like to begin today’s post with a THANK YOU! I am amazed, humbled and blessed that so many of you read these daily dribbling’s. I constantly pray that you are receiving some sort of a blessing during our times of fellowship. May our Lord continue to use you for His glory, and for the good of those around you.

Today is the eve of the birth of the Christ Child. I remember how Miss Deb would behave on the eve of our children’s birth. The day before giving birth, she would clean the whole house, or go for a long walk, or want to have company over. It was as if God was revving her body up to get ready for the amazing event before her.

I wonder, do you suppose Mary felt the same way? She was able to endure a long ride on a donkey, a journey which I think she may have walked at least half of. I wonder if Mary was overly talkative on the day before giving birth to the King of Kings? I’m sure, like most first-time mothers, she was nervous and somewhat concerned yet filled with anticipation. I have often wondered what the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was like for Joseph, Mary and the Lord.

Yesterday, Miss Deb and I had to travel to Cheyenne. The road was abuzz with constant traffic. I would think that Joseph and Mary had to endure such traffic on their journey as well. They probably even had impatient travelers cut them off too! But just as our Lord allowed us to make our journey safely yesterday, He seemed to be extremely kind to get that young family to their destination.

We read the Christmas story as if it were somewhat of a tragedy that Jesus had to be born in a stable. However I believe that God introduced His Son to the world exactly as He had planned to do. Lowly, humble Jesus was born in a barn. What an amazing birth! A first-time mom giving birth to the most precious baby this world will ever know, alone, trusting God, right in the middle of a city that was roaring with humanity.

Our Heavenly Father continues to quietly send us into a very busy world to proclaim the coming of Christ Jesus! Sometimes, that declaration is even somewhat painful for us as well; and is very painful for believers in countries where Christianity is forbidden. Yet, like Mary, those dear saints continue to tell other about the amazing grace of God, even though they are alone and afraid.

Today, may each of us stop and pray for the persecuted church around this world. Pray for protection, pray for power, and pray for peace as they live their lives to tell the story. While we are celebrating, they are cowering. While we exchange gifts, they will exchange memorized Scripture verses for they do not have a Bible, nor a projection screen, nor a praise team, nor a safe and comfortable building. No, all the persecuted church around the world has is each other and the presence of Almighty God!

You see, to these dear folks, Jesus is not a baby wrapped in rags. in a manger, surrounded by cattle and sheep. No, their celebration today is that they know the power of the Prince of Peace. That they and perhaps a handful of others have hidden themselves away from those who would try to take their lives, hidden to be heard.

We American Christians often mention about “the real reason for the season.” I wonder, if we really understand those words, and I especially wonder, how often do we live such a statement? May the eve of the birth of the Christ Child be the eve of a new boldness to proclaim, “the real reason for the season” all year long. May we the American church stop “hiding” and start living with purpose, revealing the power of transformed lives to the glory of God!

Proclaiming the coming of the King with you, Neal