The news this week reminds us that our lives are not painted on a neutral canvas - the backdrop of our lives is a cosmic mega-drama of good and evil. Jesus' arrival on this planet was no different. The wise men and the angels noticed the sign of Jesus' birth with joy, but so did evil, with rage, and sent hit men to try to kill him. Satan shows up whenever something new is being born in our lives. He wants to discourage us before we begin so we end up lamenting, "I thought I was supposed to do that, but it didn't happen."   

But the story of Jesus' birth is also the story of God's providence and supernatural intervention. He provided the baby with parents to care for him, magi to meet his financial needs, and angels to guide him to safety. Is there something new being born in you this Christmas season - a new calling, a new gifting - something you know God wants for you? What God did for his own infant son he can do for your infant dream: Not only will He provide people in your life to nurture that calling in you, and benefactors to supply the resources to make it possible; He will provide you with the supernatural intervention of His Holy Spirit, so that in the end everyone will know that what was accomplished was done by God alone.

(thoughts from Dr. Cheryl Johns at Renovatus Church on Sunday)