Merry Christmas from Jimmy Evans

Our time in Israel and our prayer during this holiday season

Merry Christmas to our Tipping Point family from the Evans family! We are so thankful for each of you and hope that being a part of this community has been a blessing over the past year.

I love being able to take my interest in the end times and share it with like-minded believers who find comfort and encouragement in what the Bible has to say about the present and future.

I’m approaching this Christmas season with a fresh perspective because my wife, Karen, and I just returned from a trip to Israel. (Yes, I noticed that a few of you made comments here wondering if I had been there.)

We took an eleven-day trip and toured the entire country, along with some close friends and colleagues from XO Marriage. It was incredible! Today, of course, we are celebrating the first coming of Jesus to earth at the first Christmas. He was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, spent his ministry in the Galilee region, then died and was resurrected in Jerusalem.

It’s hard to describe how it impacts your faith to visit these places in person. When you travel in Israel, you are surrounded by places right out of the Bible—the Mount of Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee, Mount Carmel, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Dead Sea. Even if you are very familiar with the words of Scripture, they take on new meaning when you are actually standing in the places where it was written.

People tell me that, once they’ve traveled to Israel, their faith is never the same. It’s transformed forever.

That’s one reason I’m leading a travel experience there in November and December of 2023, and if the Rapture hasn’t happened yet, it’s open to members of the Tipping Point community. Personally, I can’t wait to go back. I hope that many of you will sign up to go with us.

Every time I go I learn so much more. You are literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus, and getting a glimpse of what awaits us. We spent five days in Jerusalem, and I couldn’t help but think that one day soon, Jesus is going to rule with all power from the capital city of Jerusalem—and God is working there right now to bring about that great day. Remember, after the Tribulation, we will live with Him in this land for a thousand years!

On our last day in Jerusalem, we traced the final steps of Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives to the Via Dolorosa, leading to Golgotha where He was crucified. The reality of what Jesus did in His life and death sinks in when you walk those steps. You realize that everything He did was intentional and all for us.

You can learn more about my 2023 Holy Land tour here:

Those thoughts have been in my mind the past few days as my family and I have prepared for Christmas. Karen and I have two married children and five grandchildren, ranging in age from nine to twenty years old. We will spend today and most of the holiday season with them.

Last night we went to church together on Christmas Eve. That’s one of our favorite traditions. We do it to make sure our focus is on Jesus and not just the gift-giving or festivities of the season. It was also a good way to keep my spirit and mind in the right place leading up to yesterday’s Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles game. (Go Cowboys!)

The older I get, and the more Christmas seasons I celebrate, the more I become thankful for Jesus.

This Christmas I’m more grateful than ever for Him and the difference He has made in my life, marriage and family. First and foremost, this season is for celebrating the Son of God who came into the world to save us from our sins and to give us the gift of eternal life.

Karen and I pray God’s richest blessings upon you and your family. If you are celebrating today, celebrating tonight, or if your Christmas time will extend into the week, you are on my heart. I love Christmas and I love this time of the year.

Thank you for being a part of this community. Merry Christmas!