Elizabeth’s Encounter with God

During our conversation, Elizabeth shared a powerful testimony about an encounter she had with God when she was just five years old. She was born to missionary parents in Honduras and was raised in a family that loved the Lord. But even at that young age, God gave her a vision of her future. She saw herself creating musicals and movies, ministering to people, and having a connection to Israel. God even gave her a glimpse of heaven where people of all nations were worshiping God together in unity. That vision shaped her life. When she later met Robert at a Christian school in Norway, they discovered a shared passion for using creative arts to glorify God.

Elizabeth told Robert, “If you want to marry me, you have to come to Israel.” And that’s exactly what they did. They got married and packed everything they owned into a car and drove to Jerusalem to follow the vision God had placed in their hearts. Man, that is radical obedience!

Finding the Missing Piece

Even with that early calling, Elizabeth shared that things weren’t always easy. She grew up in a religious environment where teachings about God controlling everything that happens clouded her understanding of God’s true nature. She was referring to the sovereignty of God doctrine, which I believe is one of the worst teachings that has crept into the church. Anyway, when she began listening to my teachings, she said it was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle.

The God she knew in her heart finally matched the God she was reading about in Scripture. That clarity transformed her relationship with the Lord. It’s so important to know who God really is.

Something Elizabeth shared that really got me thinking was her point that if the enemy is after one thing, it’s our will. He wants to make us passive and make us think that we don’t have the ability to choose. But God gave us free will. He won’t force us to follow Him. It’s our choice, and that’s something the enemy wants to steal.

It reminded me of the foundation of our country. Our nation was built on the idea of freedom, and that only works for a people who are moral and religious. The freedom to choose is a powerful thing, and it’s something we should never take for granted.

The Vulnerability of Christmas

One of the things that Robert shared really stood out to me. He talked about the vulnerability Jesus embraced when He came into this world. He came quietly, in humility, without fanfare. It was a template for how His kingdom works. He didn’t come with trumpets announcing His arrival, because the kingdom of God can only be received by faith, not through force or spectacle.

Think about it: the Creator of the universe—the One who spoke everything into existence—came as a helpless baby, completely dependent on others for His care. That kind of humility is almost impossible to wrap your mind around.

As 1 Kings 8:27 says, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” No temple or palace could hold Him, and yet He chose to come in the humblest way imaginable. He was born in a manger (a feeding trough for animals), and His first visitors weren’t kings or religious leaders—they were shepherds.

The angels didn’t appear to the powerful or the elite; they appeared to those society often overlooked. And what did they say? “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). That’s the message of Christmas: God’s love and grace isn’t for the religious; it’s for the broken, the outcasts, and those who know they need a Savior.

Walking Out the Vision

One of the things I love about Robert and Elizabeth’s story is how they’ve walked out the vision God gave them, step by step. Elizabeth didn’t go from having that vision at five years old to producing musicals overnight. It’s been a process of following God’s lead, trusting Him, and taking small steps of obedience.

That’s how God works. So often, we want Him to do everything all at once, but His plans usually unfold gradually. The Lord has taught me this in my own life and ministry. When He called me into ministry, I didn’t start with a global platform. It began with me being faithful in small things and trusting Him to open the right doors.

Elizabeth shared a beautiful story from her childhood that illustrates this. When she was little, she tried to save a trail of ants from drowning in some water. She tried everything—putting leaves and other things in their path to stop them—but they would find another way to do what they thought they had to do. That’s when she heard the Lord say, “If you want to save them, you would have to become one of them.” At that moment, she realized that’s what Jesus did for us. He became one of us to save us. That’s what Christmas is all about.

The Heart of Christmas

This brings me to one of my favorite parts of this season—our annual musical, The Heart of Christmas. It’s a beautiful production that captures the true meaning of Christmas in such a powerful way. Jamie plays the role of the “old grandma,” and she’s always a hit.

This musical is based on the story of a fourth wise man who missed Jesus in the manger but spent his life helping others while searching for Him.

Elizabeth shared that this character, Zargon, represents all of us. “We’re the wise men now,” she said, “running after Jesus with our gifts.”

We can’t give our gifts directly to Jesus, but when we give to others, it’s as if we’re giving to Him. That’s the message of The Heart of Christmas—a reminder that Christmas is about so much more than decorations or traditions. It’s about living out the love of Christ by loving and serving others.

A Christ-Centered Christmas

Christmas is an invitation to experience the love of God in a personal way. Jesus didn’t just come for the world—He came for you. As you celebrate the birth of Jesus, remember to keep Him at the center. The lights, the gifts, and the gatherings are all great, but they pale in comparison to the miracle of God becoming man.

Whether you’re worshiping at church, enjoying a musical like The Heart of Christmas, or spending time in the Word, let this season remind you of just how much God loves you. His love is so great that He came into this world as a baby, lived a sinless life, and gave Himself for you.

I want to invite you to experience The Heart of Christmas. I really believe this musical captures the true meaning of Christmas, and I encourage you to join us for it. Let’s also remember this Christmas that when we love and serve others, we’re giving our gifts to Jesus Himself.

If this message has stirred your heart, I encourage you to dive deeper into the truth of God’s love revealed through Jesus. My teaching The Word Became Flesh unpacks the profound significance of Jesus coming to earth as a man. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s plan for redemption and His love for you.

Explore The Word Became Flesh Teaching Today

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!