They were invited.
Something strange, wonderful and unexplainable is happening to people around the world. Birth pangs of anticipation grip them.
They are in an upheaval. A centrifugal force spins away all clutter, lesser purposes and pursuits. They are being pulled toward some great event.
Hollywood tries to imitate this. In the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind from the 1970s we see the counterfeit version.
The military has connected with aliens. The mother ship will meet them at Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. But the public cannot know about this. So the Army fakes a pandemic to keep people away from the site.
Their elaborate scheme does not keep a special group from coming. The military decides to gas them and to put them to sleep so they can be removed.
Here is the actual dialog from the movie where scientists confront the officers:
“These people have come from all over the world to a place where they have been told will endanger their lives. Why? This is a small group of people who have shared a vision in common. It is still a mystery to me.
“I believe for every one of these anxious, anguished people who have come here to see this, there must be hundreds of others also touched by the implanted vision who never made it this far, simply because they never watched the television.
“We didn’t choose this place. We didn’t choose these people. They were invited!”
This is an imitation of both the first Christmas, and of something God is doing right now.
Four main characters in the Christmas story were disrupted, endangered and driven to a special event. They were invited! Each of them was chosen for a special reason.
THE SHEPHERDS
Luke 2: 8-12 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
These men were not sissies. Remember David, a shepherd, had killed a lion and a bear. They were blue collar workers not given to emotion or fantasies.
Their unique role was to bring validation to the Baby’s identity and Mary’s innocence. They ran to the manger and then went about telling everyone tidings of great joy for all people.
THE MAGI
Matthew 2: 2-6 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
“So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
History tells us that these mysterious men came from the school of the Magi. This was not only the school where Persia chose their leaders, it was also the fruit of Daniel’s prophecies in Babylon.
They were looking for the coming of the Messiah. When they saw the star they made the impossible decision to leave their realms for years in order to worship Him.
All they wanted to do was worship the newborn king. What they did not know was the other big reasons for their journey.
They would give treasure to fund Joseph and Mary’s escape to Egypt. But the big reason was to establish beyond a doubt to Israel that Jesus was the Messiah.
SIMEON
Luke 2: 25-35 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Simeon is proof that God keeps His promises. But he is also something bigger. His assignment is to infuse the holy family with the power to bear their suffering and bring this mighty miracle to its conclusion on the Cross and in the Resurrection.
ANNA THE PROPHETESS
Luke 2: 36-38 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
While still a very young woman she lost her husband and remained single. She devoted herself to seeking God for the redemption of Israel. She carried great authority and respect among the people. Her part was to empathically tell all that this Baby was the Messiah.
God is doing this again. Choosing a variety of vessels. Selecting from all walks of life servants who will once again fulfill prophecy and enforce a mighty act of God in the world.
It is a new day in America. We have not seen a Christmas of hope in a very long time.
If you are in divine anguish. If you find you do not fit in organized religion take heed. You are being recruited. The pull of Heaven for special assignments is on you. Leave all the trivia and the noise right now.
You have not been punished with frustration. You are not a victim of some mental breakdown. What is happening within you is simple: YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED!
Now obey the commission of that great old Christmas Carol: “Join the triumph of the skies!”
Very well said, Mario! . . .as always! Thank you so much for the re-awakening of fresh hope! How very sweet that is! THANK YOU, JESUS! Merry Christmas to you, Mario and family, and blessings to you, my dear brother, as you take Christ to the masses!
PTL
Jesus Christ is the only way 🙏
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Amen and Amen!! Praise God!!! Thank you, Jesus!!! 🙏❤️🙌
God bless you brother Mario !! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Yes, Yes, and Yes! I accept the invitation! It will be worth it all!
Merry Christmas, Mario!
Thank you, for remaining steadfast and immovable.
Blessings to you and yours!
Thank you
And everybody said Amen!
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Merry Christmas to you and Michelle. May God always bless both of you.
Wonderful. We are seeing it all over the U.K.
Praise God and Merry Christmas
MERRY CHRISTMAS, we know GOD will bless you and your ministry nightly in 2025. The preaching of the Gospel of CHRIST is the power of GOD. GOD Bless you brother Mario
What you say is real , it is the Truth, and from the Lord Jesus. This ,what you talk of is for me. When I was a child, in a dream, a voice from Heaven thundered and spoke to me. I cannot recall the words nor could I then because it was too overwhelming Loud , clapping, mighty thunder. I saw people that looked asleep in clear bags on a beach shore, and men with jackets on in the rain were stacking the bodies one on top of the other. There were many bodies along the shore like this in clear bags. It was almost dark. The voice continued to thunder,
Was very loud , and was talking directly to me from the sky.. I’m 56 now, and remember it like it was yesterday. There was a purpose to the dream and I know there will be a day when I understand. I was an observer, and somehow a participant. I heard the voice of God. He is Mighty and Terrible, and Awesome. I don’t fit in , and I won’t compromise. Thank you for helping me understand why. Merry Christmas to the Murillo family and organization. May the Lord Jesus bless you , keep you all, protect you with His Blood, rebuke the devourer for your sake, prosper you in every area of your lives, and in your bodies with divine health and wisdom. Thank you for being obedient to your calling for the Lord Jesus for the salvation of the nation, and the World for such a time as this.
Wow… How incredibly awesome and terrifying at the same time! 💜🙏🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼💜
It is validating to hear my being “cold shouldered”
and left feeling unwelcome is to be expected at this time. it would be lonely except that I have a friend in Jesus. I am 77 years old and can’t wait for my door to open to tell the lost about Jesus! Thank you Mario for explaining my calling and how it compares to those at the birth of our Savior!
I love your messages.
May I please make a request? When you quote scripture, would you write it like Luke 6:1-9 rater than add the number ahead of each new verse in the text? I can’t help but read the individual numbers and they are distracting.. Thank you
Thank you Brother Mario for your faithfulness to carry the gospel wherever God leads. Merry Christmas to you and your wife!God bless your meetings in North Carolina in Jan 2025!
Merry Christmas to You Sir and your family also. I have been blessed greatly by your ministry. So I thank You for sending me your messages.
Amen
Mario merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours keep up the great work you do
Yes
This is a confirmation of my prayer requests “Lord give me an assignment!”
Amen Amen, we’re coming into HIS time of refreshing..Shalom Shalom
Mario, Thank you so much for this beautiful narrative of love and truth! And for all your service and work poured out to bring God’s Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Sending MUCH love / prayer 4 your shalom and a very, merry and joy filled Christmas!!
Blessings to you from a friend of the Healer!
Thanks Mario we all stand with the Lord as we preach the gospel to those he is recruiting. Merry Christmas brother! Tim Sutton in NC
Merry Christmas to you Mario,
and your family. Thanks for all your spiritual insight, may God
continue the work He has put in you! Have a blessed and wonderful day!
Awww! Great is God’s faithfulness! What a blog! Hallelujah!
And a beautiful, Blessed, Merry Christmas to you, Mechelle and your family on this Glorious Christmas Day, dear brother Mario!
In Christ’s Excellence we live, work, move and have our being!
Praise His Holy Name
Lovely rendition of our Savior’s birth.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you Mario for speaking the truth. God bless you and your family.
Merry Christmas!
Praise be to God,Thank you Jesus, Restore and Heal,move Nightly across these lands
Great truths. We are all invited. Just like God speaks and we can all hear His voice. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Mario and to all who help you fulfill your assignment from our King Jesus. Wonderful post…I will print this to give to others. JC
What a magnificent and heart warming description of our Saviors birth! And yes I accept this invitation. To God be the glory!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Merry Christmas to you and Mechelle! Thank you for this message. You are right. This Christmas has been very different. I believe my special assignment is becoming clearer. I pray we would all be courageous and bold soldiers in 2025, not entangled with this world. Hope you have a blessed day!
Amen!!!
Merry Christmas Mario, to you and family.
God bless you for all you do, you’re truly a labourer in the vineyard. May God bless protect favor and give you and your ministry great Abundance 🙏
Mr.Murillo, You r so awesome, I praise God for you. I have never encountered such a man of God as yourself. I will continue to pray for you. Thank you for your strength and wisdom.God bless you. I pray you will come to California soon.
I sure needed to hear this now. I live in San Francisco and do not feel I belong in any church here. I have tried them all.
On top of that my mother threatened to disinherit me as if I never existed. But I know my Redeemer lives and loves me to eternity.
Merry Christmas man of God. To you, Michelle, and family.
Your last comments resonate a state I have been experiencing for some time now. Thank you for putting it to words. The words divine anguish were like pulling a big sliver out. Now where from here is something I’ve asked God many times lately.
In an instant the Holy Spirit has prompted me to begin a prayer walk in my neighborhood. As such I have been given discernment about each family’s burdens – namely cancer! Five families are facing the daily challenges of chemotherapy, radiation, wearing a cervical collar to support his head because of multiple myeloma/ blood cancer. We had a victory with my dear friend, Kathleen. Her uterine cancer is in remission. Hallelujah. Now her husband just survived an operation for an aneurysm on his aorta. The Lord is giving me the encouraging words to say in a text or in a short greeting on the street. Prayer is accepted by everyone. I am filled with JOY this Christmas. Now, honoring Hanukkah for 8 days. Pray for me to recover from bacterial lung infection. Thank you, Mario for your boldness. I am standing up for Jesus now.
Hi Mario, thankyou for the blogs. God bless you and Mechelle. May we all believe with you for greater things next year
Thank you so much for this Mario! God Bless you and your family and Merry Christmas from Doris & Steven
Dear Pastor Mario,
Thank you for this powerful message. May the Lord continue to bless you and family in your ministry.