Hello friend. With Christmas just days away, it is easy to get caught up in the warmth and familiarity of the season. But as we reflect on the arrival of the King, we are reminded that the manger is inseparable from the mission. 

The angel’s announcement wasn't just for a few shepherds. 

It was "good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)

That word—all—changes everything. It compels us to look beyond our own celebrations to the places where this joy has not been heard—just yet.

In today’s edition:

🇹🇿 Praying for truth to prevail in Tanzania

🚼 Why the Three Wise Men’s journey matters for the Great Commission

🇲🇦 The church’s quiet, steady growth in Morocco

Sowing truth where confusion grows 🇹🇿

From the Serengeti plains to the Indian Ocean coast, Tanzania is full of natural beauty—and image-bearers of God. 

Around one-third of Tanzanians identify as Christian, yet many in rural and Muslim-majority communities still live and die without ever meeting a follower of Jesus. In other areas, syncretism and false teaching can cloud the truth of the gospel, leaving people with confusion instead of the hope that is ours in Christ.

In the middle of all of this, God is at work through local believers, churches, and ministries seeking to make disciples and strengthen the church.

How to Pray

🙏🏼 Pray for Tanzanian believers to be rooted deeply in the true gospel, growing in sound doctrine, holiness, and love, so they can gently but clearly resist false teaching and point others to Christ.

🙏🏼 Pray for unreached peoples along the coast and in remote rural regions—where there may be few or no churches—that they would hear the good news of Jesus, respond in faith, and gather in healthy local churches.

🙏🏼 Pray that God would raise up faithful, humble leaders who will plant and shepherd healthy, multiplying churches across Tanzania, and that these churches will boldly yet wisely share the gospel with their neighbors.

A baby for the nations 🚼

The scene in the beginning of Matthew 2 really is stunning when you think about it.

Matthew writes his Gospel primarily for Jewish readers—to show them Jesus is the Messiah. 

It’s why he opens his account of Jesus’ life with a genealogy (a record of names) that specifically goes back to Abraham, the father of the people of Israel. He starts by saying, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ…”

Keep in mind that “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. 

It’s a title that declares, “The promised Messiah is here!”

And that’s what’s so stunning. 

Matthew records the birth of Jesus in the last verse of Chapter 1. Then, in the very next verse (remember: chapter divisions were not there in the original writing!), he tells about “wise men from the east” who saw a star in the sky and had come to see the king of the Jews.

These were not ordinary fellows. They almost certainly were men of standing with both position and wealth. And they were definitely not Jewish. 

Not long ago, I was praying for the Parsee people of Iran and India. They’re one of the oldest surviving Zoroastrian people groups. They worship Ahura Mazda, which they believe is the creator god. As I read about them, I learned that Persian kings like Cyrus and Darius were likely believers in Ahura Mazda, and these wise men likely were, too.

And these wise men are the first people Matthew records coming to see Jesus! 

Of course, we know from Luke that shepherds came when he was born. The wise men likely came months after Jesus was born—keep in mind, there were no Wise Men Airlines to transport them there, and camels don’t travel quite as quickly as planes. 

It’s a good reminder to move the wise men out of your nativity scenes in your home. Put them on the other side of the room because it’s going to be a while before they make it. (Or maybe just bring them out next summer…that’ll be a little more biblically accurate!)

But Matthew is making a point from the beginning of Jesus’ life. 

This baby was not just born for the Jews. 

This baby was born for the nations. 

I love the scene when they arrive. Just imagine Matthew 2:10-11:

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.

Wow. They “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” That’s like quadruple joy! 

Then these prominent, high-ranking, influential, powerful men from the nations far from Israel bow down and worship a Jewish baby.

The point is clear: 

Jesus has come for all the nations. 

Jesus brings joy to all the peoples. 

Jesus is worthy of worship all over the world.

So this Christmas, I invite you to pray and live for the same purpose for which Matthew wrote: the spread of Jesus’ glory among all the nations!

—David Platt

Replanting the gospel in ancient soil 🇲🇦

Though the gospel first came to Morocco in the 2nd century, centuries of conflict and the dominance of Islam have left the church nearly invisible, with less than 1% of Moroccans identifying as Christian today.

Sharing the gospel remains restricted, and many believers live quietly under pressure. But rest assured—God is at work.

Moroccan church leaders from Muslim backgrounds are being discipled, trained, and sent to equip new believers with tools for evangelism and discipleship by Radical. Across the country, churches are multiplying through pastoral internships, Bible studies, and biblical education programs that raise up a new generation of leaders committed to Christ’s mission.

How to Pray:

🙏🏼 Pray for Moroccan believers to be strengthened in faith and bold in witness, even when faced with pressure to remain silent.

🙏🏼 Pray for the training and discipleship of new leaders, that God would multiply healthy churches across Morocco.

🙏🏼 Pray that the gospel would spread through North Africans sent out for cross-cultural ministry, reaching places where Jesus is still unknown.

📍 Attention Worthy

• ​​A short book can make an eternal difference. Gifting them with a copy of All You Want for Christmas can help loved ones look past the holiday noise and find true joy in Jesus.

• Missions involves more than just sending individuals. The local church is non-negotiable in God's global plan—and there’s danger in minimizing its role.

• We often worry that structured prayer isn't "authentic." However, this simple framework can actually fuel spontaneity and keep your prayer life vibrant.