Dear Friends of M.E.I,

Every Christmas season, I return to Luke 2:1-20, the birth of our Savior, just to read the story one more time. Every year the Bible speaks a different message to my heart. The scriptures are surely a treasure that can never be completely admired.

• Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
• Luke 2:2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
• Luke 2:3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
• Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
• Luke 2:5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
• Luke 2:6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
• Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

I am touched by God’s provision for Mary and Joseph as they traveled. God provided safety. God provided a donkey for Mary to ride upon as she traveled this four-day journey to Bethlehem. He provided a place for the birth of His son, Jesus. He provided a manger for His bed.

I am reminded through these verses that God, over the years, has provided for many who have served and traveled with MEI. He has always provided everything we need to carry the Gospel to many places and people. God has provided us with friends who are great givers: people who give out of their abundance and their sacrifice. I am always honored by how people give of themselves to further the Gospel of Christ. This year MEI has been invited to Uganda and Kenya to train over 100 pastors.

• Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
• Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
• Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
• Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
• Luke 2:12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
• Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
• Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The praise broke out! Heaven and earth could not contain the joy. The Glory of The Lord came down and lit up the darkness of night. The first great words were “fear not”, for the angels brought us great news for our Savior was born. The birth brought forth such joy that could not be muted. The good news is great when it comes to ALL people. A SAVIOR has been born! The Lord is here!

I praise God for what He has done through MEI this year. Much prayer has gone up from those of us within MEI, and answers to our prayers have been great. God has opened the door to extended missionary care services. God has allowed us to join Him as He has advanced our vision and commitments to local and global churches. We have all been heavily involved in discipleship this year. God has opened so many doors and invited us in. We thank you for your prayers as God teaches us to abide in Him and ask you to join us in praising Him.

• Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
• Luke 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
• Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
• Luke 2:18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
• Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
• Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

They proclaimed. The shepherds went about spreading the Word, telling what they had seen and heard. They sowed the seed. They were not so concerned where it fell, they just sowed it. Those that heard it were amazed.

We are amazed as God has allowed MEI to sow much seed. Jesus says, “Those who believe in me will do greater things.” (John 14:12) What is one of the greater things? We get to travel the world with the ever-present gospel of Christ.