Do you take Christmas for granted? Each year it rolls around and we spend time and money buying and giving gifts, gathering with family, and sometimes even doing a nice deed for someone in need. All great acts of Christmas celebration.

But do we truly stop to consider the root of Christmas? Jesus was the greatest gift ever given, and I hope you made plenty of time to ponder that fact and share that gift with others.

The gift of Jesus is always shared in a very meaningful way in Nazareth Israel, Jesus’ hometown as a young boy. Israel is an interesting place to celebrate Jesus, as Jews generally do not celebrate Christmas or believe that Jesus was (and is) the Messiah. Likewise, Arab Muslim people have a different perspective of Jesus as well.

But what if I told you the largest celebration of Christmas happens right there in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up? Indeed, Home of Jesus the King Church shares the love of Jesus and magnifies His Kingship every year in Nazareth. Tens of thousands of Jews, Arabs, Palestinians, Druze, and others flock to Nazareth to receive gifts and hear the Gospel clearly proclaimed!

Our good friend, Pastor Saleem Shalash, spearheads the effort and his congregation at HJTK goes all out to bless the people of Nazareth all year round. Just before Christmas, Pastor Saleem was interviewed on CBN, the largest Christian TV station in Israel. Hear what he had to say about 2024’s Christmas celebration in Nazareth.

By God’s grace, I’m taking a small group to Israel in February where we will partner with Pastor Saleem and others to roll up our sleeves and bless the people of Israel! Not only do we plan to share the love of Jesus, but it is also a tremendous encouragement to Israelis when Christians from around the world come to bless them. We stand in solidarity with Israel…thus, our Israel Solidarity Trip February 14-26.

Will you be part of that blessing by praying for us? Please pray for:

• Safe travel
• Meaningful projects that allow us to reflect the love of Jesus
• Health and safety of those making the journey
• Servant attitudes and energy to fulfill our missions
• Ongoing planning and logistics for the group
• Good weather that allows us to accomplish what we set out to do
• Boldness to share the love of Jesus in ways that impact others forever

Follow along with us right here as we prepare, then as we travel. I will keep you updated on preparations and will post updates (and perhaps videos) throughout our time in Israel. Please be part of this great adventure!