Prostitutes, Demons, and Jesus' Birthday Cake
What does Christmas Eve have to do with Easter? | Lenten Journey 2025 | Jesus Christ | Christianity
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Jesus Was Downtown on Christmas Eve
Dear readers, Easter is two weeks away, and I’m going to share a Christmas story with you (as odd as that seems).
Christmas Eve of 1997, after my church’s 11 PM candlelight service and the Happy Birthday Jesus party ended, Kay Martin and I cleaned up the church’s kitchen. Kay, in her late 60s, served as a chaplain to lower-income residents and the homeless for a nonprofit in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. She swam laps every day and hiked the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, at least once a year. Our church, Historic First Presbyterian Church off Monroe and 7th Avenue downtown, was built and dedicated in 1927. (It’s now one of two locations of City of Grace Church - Facebook page.)
Our small congregation had celebrated Jesus‘ earthly birthday with a huge sheet cake, and a quarter of the cake remained on the tray. I looked at Kay. “Do you want the rest of the cake? I don’t have room in my refrigerator.”
Kay paused, then her eyes sparkled. “We have plenty of paper plates, forks, and napkins. Let’s take Jesus’ birthday cake to the street people.”
“I love it, let’s do it.”
It was after midnight when we finished cleaning the kitchen. We gathered up the cake, plates, forks, and napkins and walked out into the dark streets of downtown Phoenix, down 7th Avenue, into what others considered a not-so-great neighborhood. Kay was a woman of great faith in her work with her clients. Times were different in the downtown area back in 1997 compared to 2025. I felt safe walking with Jesus’ birthday cake. In fact, I felt an overwhelming peace and confidence. He was with us.
All was calm, a beautiful night. We approached about a half-dozen women sitting on the street’s curb. On this night, the women had no clients, no “Johns”, and they were free to enjoy the beautiful night. They chatted away, delighted in each other’s company. A few women recognized Kay despite the darkness and greeted her. I then realized this wasn’t Kay’s first visit with them.
She greeted them and explained why she and I were there.
“Today is a special day. We celebrated Jesus’ birthday this evening and we have extra cake. Would you like some?”
Their joy and excitement melted my heart. Again, I felt Emmanuel’s presence among us. It was beautiful and sacred. Kay and I enjoyed the moment, and we let the women know how much Jesus loved them.
Out of the darkness, a young man rode up on a bicycle. He looked to be in his early 20s. He asked Kay and I why we were here; she told him and asked if he’d like a piece of cake. He then began mocking us, mocking Jesus, and our curb-side birthday party.
The Lord kept me calm. I felt no fear. I spoke to the young man in a matter-of-fact conversational tone.
“May the Lord Jesus rebuke you. We’re celebrating His birthday tonight. May Jesus rebuke the spirit who has come with you.”
The young man stopped mocking us, looked at me, and then quickly rode away.
I stood in silent awe of the power of Jesus and His name, a memory and a lesson I’ve carried with me throughout the years.
After the young man rode away, Kay didn’t miss a beat. She resumed chatting with the women, and we all continued to enjoy Jesus’ birthday cake. After a few more minutes had passed, Kay and I said good night to the women. She reminded them where they could find her and that she’d see them soon.
“Merry Christmas!”
“Thank you for coming. Merry Christmas!”
We walked to our cars and drove home. Back in my apartment, although I was tired, I reflected on what had happened with the young man on the bicycle. I had spent the evening worshiping the Lord with my church family, praising Father God for Emmanuel, God with us. And, Jesus definitely was with Kay and me as we shared His birthday cake with the women on the curb. He kept me calm, not afraid of the young man on the bicycle.
I realized that although we had celebrated Jesus’ first coming that night, what had happened around midnight on a street in downtown Phoenix resulted from why He came.
Here is where this Christmas Eve story comes together with Easter, with Resurrection Sunday, when we Jesus’ followers will commemorate His victory in two weeks.
Through His death on the cross and Father God raising His Son from the dead, Jesus reigns victorious over the powers, the principalities, and the authorities in the spiritual realm.
We need not fear our spiritual enemies, dear readers. Jesus is always with us, our victorious, powerful King Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Matthew 28:18-20 (BSB)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Your Turn
I haven’t always been courageous in my faith walk and I want to be. How about you? Here’s a few things to think about:
Are you living daily in the truth of Jesus’ victory and of His power over the spiritual realm?
When do you feel fearful?
What lies and deception is the enemy taunting you with currently?
Do you truly know who you are and Whose you are? If yes, are you living these truths daily?
Maranatha, come (again) Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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His Name is Jesus.
"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 BSB
BELIEVE IN HIS NAME
"But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 BSB
BELIEVE IN HIS NAME
"And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us." 1 John 3:23 BSB
BELIEVE IN HIS NAME
"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31 BSB
Jesus, the Name above all names.
"I stood in silent awe of the power of Jesus and His name, a memory and a lesson I've carried with me throughout the years." Jenise
There is authority in the Name of Jesus.
"One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!"
She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" And the spirit left her at that very moment." Acts 16:16-18 BSB
Jesus, the Name that is above all names.
"Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God, the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 BSB
There is Salvation in no other name, the Name of Jesus.
"Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 BSB
There is Healing in the Name of Jesus
Acts 3:1-8 BSB
"1. One afternoon, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2. And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts.
3. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
4. Peter looked directly at him, as did John. "Look at us!" said Peter.
5. So, the man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6. But Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"
7. Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man's feet and ankles were made strong.
8. He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God."
There is Hope in the Name of Jesus.
"In His name the nations will put their hope." Matthew 12:21 BSB
There is freedom in His Name, in the Name of Jesus.
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11 BSB
"In the name of the Lord Jesus."
"And all, whatever you might do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17 BSB
Thank You, LORD!
"Always giving thanks to God, the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 BSB
GOD bless you all!
Katy Nichole - "In Jesus Name (God of Possible)"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihrUIPfvTh8
Great story. Making a difference in those ladies lives. The power of words . Thanks