Dear Friends of Kontaktmission and European missions,

 

Years ago around Christmastime it became clear to me, and every year I’m struck by it all over again. Jesus was sent as a missionary by the Father Himself. Christmas is the beginning of world mission, just as it’s the beginning of the hope that comes through “God with us.” John 20:21 records Jesus’ words, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” (Jesus even included a blessing of peace, just like the angels did when they proclaimed, “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.”)

 

And Jesus’ topic and point? It’s about mission, specifically the sending of the first disciples as missionaries. This is what I call the Christmas-Missions passage.

 

Personally, I’m thrilled when I get to catch a glimpse of the big picture, of what God is doing on a grand scale. Today is Christmas Eve 2016, and I think you’ll admit we can see pretty clearly that God is still saving the world, and He’s still doing it through Jesus and through sending.

 

In a very real sense, Christmas is ongoing, now over 2000 years later. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us, and that’s Christmas all over again for those who don’t yet know Him as their life and savior. To the world, to the lost, to the downtrodden, to the “people who walked in darkness,” a great light, just like Isaiah prophesied (9:2). He sent a little baby, but He was thinking very, very big, and those vast thoughts included… us. Recipients of the light and senders of it, that’s what we are.

 

Merry Christmas to you and your family! And thanks for praying with us and helping us send!

Rob & Carla Harris

and the team of Kontaktmission USA