I grew up watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown can’t seem to get anything right as he plans for the Christmas pageant, even choosing a bad little tree that could scarcely hold an ornament. This year, wanting to have some kind of Christmas decoration for my office, I came upon a Charlie Brown Christmas tree in a local store. After I opened the box, I was glad that it had been on sale half off, because just like in the show, it’s not a very sturdy tree, perhaps not worth the full price. In the show, when everyone had given up on the little tree, Linus, wrapped his beloved blanket around it, saying that it just needed a little love. And his love transformed the tree, it turned out OK after all.

Our Lord, Jesus, chose humble beginnings, coming down from heaven to be born in a manger. Taking on our sin and our shame, overcoming death, to rise victorious, Name above all names. What a contrast!

As we celebrate and wonder at the coming of our Lord and his presence with us, we must not overlook those who are in humble positions, those who are powerless among us. By his incarnation, our Lord shows us where his allegiance lies; it’s not with the strong and powerful, but with the meek and lowly. And just as the little tree was transformed by Linus, who cared for it, so lives are transformed in our church communities by the powerful love of Jesus. It’s amazing what a little love and respect can do in the life of someone who is not used to receiving it.

Safe Church Ministry works to protect those who are most vulnerable among us, those who are most at risk for abuse. Policies that protect youth and children are one example. Safe Church Ministry stands alongside those who have been powerless in situations of abuse, so that they are not alone. Among other things we help churches offer advocates and resources. The listening ear of someone who understands can be an extremely valuable gift. Safe Church Ministry seeks to raise awareness so that we become communities that respect all people, communities that offer compassion, justice, and hope to all those who have been caught in the trap of abuse.

In Safe Church Ministry, we follow our Lord as he entered the darkness of our world and ministered to those who were not prestigious or powerful. We follow His example, with Him bringing light, truth, hope, and healing. THANK YOU to all who have made Safe Church ministry possible this year. May your Christmas be wonder-filled and joyful, and may the Lord bless you in the coming year.