The Christmas Story Through a Crucible Lens

December 2025

Every Christmas we return to the familiar scene—shepherds under a silent sky, a frightened teenage couple far from home, a feeding trough serving as a cradle, and the long-awaited Messiah arriving in a way no one expected. But when we slow down and really look, we see that the birth of Jesus is not just a story of comfort and warmth. It is a radical, disruptive, deeply Crucible story—one that invites us as Redwoods to examine our own hearts.

When the angel appeared to the shepherds, he said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11). That announcement strikes at the heart of the work we invite others into: moving from fear to courage, from hiding to honesty, from self-reliance to surrender.

Radical Vulnerability

God entered the world as an infant—utterly dependent, fragile, and exposed. There is no greater picture of vulnerability. This is the very posture we call every person toward: not weakness, but the courage to be fully known; not bravado, but truth-telling; not self-protection, but openness to transformation. The Incarnation models a God who refuses to stay distant. He comes close. He becomes touchable. He risks being wounded. That same risk is required for genuine masculine healing.

Shadow and Light

Herod’s fear-filled response reveals the human shadow at full strength—control, violence, ego, and the desperate need to protect a false self. In contrast, Mary responds with surrender: “Let it be to me according to your word.” Joseph responds with obedience. The shepherds respond with wonder. Each character faces a crossroads between fear and faith, shadow and light. Christmas invites us to the same crossroads: Where is Christ inviting you to step out of your shadow and into the light this season?

Unexpected Initiation

No one in the story gets the script they expected. Mary loses the safety of predictability. Joseph loses his reputation. The shepherds are drawn from the margins into revelation. Christmas is an initiation disguised as a nativity scene. It is an invitation to release the life we planned so we can receive the life God is offering. For many of us, that is the hardest—and holiest—part of discipleship.

Presence Over Performance

Jesus comes quietly. Simply. Without fanfare. Christmas reminds us that God does His deepest work in hidden places. For Redwoods, the call is clear: this season is not about performing a perfect holiday; it is about being present to Jesus, present to your own heart, and present to those we love most.

A Challenge for Christmas

Choose one of the postures from the Christmas story and live it out intentionally:

Vulnerability: Tell the vulnerable truth to someone you trust.

Surrender: Release one area where you’ve been white-knuckling control.

Obedience: Take a courageous step God has been nudging you toward.

Presence: Slow down long enough to let Jesus meet you where you really are.

Christmas is not sentimental—it is transformational. Let the birth of Christ call you deeper into becoming all God created you to be.

Expanding Crucible to a Fourth Continent

November 2025

For more than twenty years, Crucible has been equipping Redwoods to live with courage, authenticity, and spiritual integrity. What began as a single retreat experience has grown into a movement that now includes 16 retreat-hosting communities across the United States and vibrant international ministries in Australia, Mexico, Kenya, and Rwanda. Everywhere The Crucible Project takes root, people are being set free, marriages are being restored, and churches are being strengthened.

Now, God is opening doors for the next chapter of our mission: expanding Crucible into a fourth continent.

In 2026, we anticipate launching retreats in the Philippines, followed by India and Germany in 2027, and Cuba in the years following. These are not merely new locations on a map — they are communities hungry for transformation, local leaders eager to be equipped, and ministries ready to impact future generations of men and women.

Launching a new international community is both exciting and demanding. Each new region requires approximately $100,000 to establish a sustainable, locally led Crucible presence. These funds provide essential retreat equipment, in-country leadership development, healthy community development, translation and contextualization of materials, and ongoing coaching to ensure long-term health and alignment with our mission.

We do this because transformation is worth it. Freedom is worth it.  Men and Women stepping into their true identity in Christ is worth it.

Scripture calls us to this shared generosity and mission. As Hebrews 13:16 reminds us:

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Join the Global Crucible Movement

As we take these bold steps into new nations, we are praying for a growing army of men and women who will link arms with us in two essential ways:

Volunteer to Staff an International Retreat

Whether you are a seasoned leader or a new Redwood, your presence matters. Every international retreat requires experienced, grounded staff who can model authenticity, safety, and grace. If you love this work, consider taking it global. You will not only serve people in a new culture—you will grow, too.  Let our men's ministry or women's ministry team know which country you are interested in staffing in. If you would like to be a part of a future staff team.

Partner Financially to Fuel International Expansion

Your generosity directly equips in country leaders, launches new retreat communities, and ensures that men and women worldwide can experience deep healing and transformation. A gift of any size makes an impact, but if God prompts you to help underwrite a full international launch, know that your investment will echo for generations. Learn ways to give.

With God’s guidance and the partnership of faithful friends like you, we believe the next twenty years will bring even greater transformation than the first. Men and Women across the world are waiting. Communities are ready. We hear the call. Do you?

Tipping Point Outcomes

October 2025

You can never be absolutely certain what the impact of your outreach efforts will be. In the fall last year, we visioned an effort to let more Christ-following Business owners, Counselors, Coaches and Pastors. God put it on the hearts of generous Redwoods to fund the vision which set in motion activities to introduce referrers to the transformational offerings of Crucible.

Redwoods from all over the United States raised their hands to volunteer to join in. This year we put Crucible’s brand and story in front of:

Results thus far include:

  • 45% of initial retreat participants registering from sources other than a personal invitation.
  • 40% increase in Men’s initial registrations year over year.
  • 32% increase in Women’s initial registrations year over year.

If you know of a conference or gathering of Christian business leaders, Counselors, Coaches, or Pastors that you believe would be helpful in this effort, please let us know. If you want to volunteer in the tipping point effort, please let us know.

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