As the Christmas season fills the air with joy and reflection, it’s a perfect time to revisit the way Jesus called His disciples—not to a structured program but to an all-in commitment, one that transformed their lives and eventually changed the world. This Christmas, let’s consider how the birth of Christ in a humble stable parallels the journey of discipleship He calls us to, one that follows the familiar stages of forming, storming, norming, and performing.
The Forming: A Call in the Darkness
Christmas is about beginnings. It’s about a world waiting in darkness and the light that comes in the form of a child. When Jesus began His ministry, He called ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots into an extraordinary journey: “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19).
Like the shepherds who first came to the stable, the disciples didn’t fully understand what they were walking into. They left their nets and their livelihoods because the invitation was compelling, but the full picture of what they were called to wouldn’t be clear for years. At Christmas, we remember that our own journeys often begin the same way—called by a light we don’t yet fully understand but are drawn to nonetheless.
The Storming: Wrestling with the Journey
The stable scene feels serene to us now, but it wasn’t. Mary and Joseph faced rejection and uncertainty before Jesus was even born. The disciples, too, entered a season of “storming” as they followed Jesus.
They misunderstood His mission, argued among themselves, and wrestled with doubts and fears. How often do we, in our own lives, feel the tension of following Christ? Christmas reminds us that God doesn’t shy away from our mess. He stepped into it—into a stable filled with hay and animals, into the storms of human doubt and brokenness.
The Norming: Finding Peace in the Plan
Just as Christmas brings a sense of peace after the rush of preparation, the disciples began to find clarity after the resurrection. They came to understand the purpose of Jesus’ ministry and their role in it.
For us, this is the season to reflect on what God has already done in our lives. The Prince of Peace doesn’t promise a life free of conflict, but He does promise His presence in it. The disciples’ unity after Pentecost is a powerful reminder that clarity and purpose come when we stay committed to the journey, even through the storms.
The Performing: Sharing the Light
The star over Bethlehem wasn’t just for the shepherds or the wise men—it was for the whole world. Likewise, the disciples moved from understanding to action when Jesus gave them the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Christmas is a call to action. It’s not just about remembering the light of Christ but carrying that light into a world that still walks in darkness. The disciples performed their mission because they had walked through the forming, storming, and norming stages. In the same way, we are called to live out the truth of Christmas by sharing His love with those around us.
This Christmas: Embrace the Stable and the Storm
As you celebrate Christmas this year, take a moment to reflect on your own discipleship journey. Maybe you’re in the forming stage, feeling the initial tug of Christ’s call. Perhaps you’re in the storming season, wrestling with doubts or struggling to make sense of His plan. Or you may be finding your rhythm in norming or stepping boldly into performing.
Wherever you are, Christmas reminds us that Jesus meets us right there. He entered the world in the humblest of ways, walked alongside confused and flawed disciples, and brought clarity and peace that transcends understanding.
This Christmas, let’s commit anew to the all-in discipleship He calls us to—following the light of the stable, through the storms, toward the joy of sharing His love with the world.
Merry Christmas, and may His light guide you in every step of your journey.
Charlie Wear
Charlie Wear's Notes 
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