Merry Bulgarian Christmas (we sang in front of church today)

Because of God’s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.
Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)

Truly we were once sitting in darkness, beneath the shadow of death; but just as truly, Jesus Christ came into this world to show us the way to life. This season we celebrate the birth of Christ – not simply the birth of a cute baby, but even more so, the birth of the God of the universe born in human flesh. He lived with us. He ate with us. He celebrated with us. He cried with and for us. He loved us, no matter who we were.

Where once we were dying in our inability to follow the commandments of God, Christ came to fulfill these commandments on our behalf. And because of this perfect life Jesus came and lived, he was able to offer himself as the sacrifice (pure and spotless) that was acceptable to God. He took the complete punishment for our sins on the cross. Three days later he rose from the dead, an open display of his authority over all things, even death itself. Through his victory of death, we can know life.

This is why Jesus came into our world, and this is why we can find reason to celebrate this season, no matter where we may find ourselves.

We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us – one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:16-17 (NLT)

(we are currently residing on the fifth floor of this building)

I write to you now from the fifth story of a Bulgarian apartment block. It has been quite the chain of events to arrive here (overnight bus, overnight train) but we are being fully cared for by both new and old friends here in Pazardjik. We are being constantly blessed by the hospitality of the couple that is allowing us to live with them during this time.

Bulgaria is cold. As we got of the train at 3AM to cross the border from Turkey to Bulgaria, I really felt like I was in a Cold-War era Russian movie. Rock hard bits of snow mixed with garbage on the railroad tracks. Thick fog hiding most all of our surroundings from our view. Train conductors that didn’t understand any of my English questions. It was a fun experience.

It has been really cool to see that friends from my last visit here are still growing and hungry in their relationship with Christ. So many people in their generation have become caught up in the mindset of the world (materialism, pop stars, etc.) but it is a blessing to spend time with young people who are wanting to invest in God where he has placed them.

(krassi: busdriver extraordinaire)

(victor: gypsy dance extraordinaire)

Also with me here from the track are John Paul and Aaron. We’ll be spending this week here in Pazardjik, and Saturday we will begin making our way down to Athens to catch our flight to Cairo, Egypt where we will begin our next phase of studies on January 3rd.

I pray that this Christmas finds all of you well, and that you are experiencing the life that is gifted to us in Jesus Christ.