Justice is something that God requires of us (Micah 6:8). Human trafficking reduces God’s image-bearers to commodities that are bought and sold for a price. Trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing global crime, and the fight against trafficking often seems overwhelming. We have an opportunity to shine God’s light into one of the darkest injustices of our time. Not everyone is called to stand in the thick of the battle, but every believer is called to stand with those who do.

This Christmas I invite you to consider the celebration as more than the birth of our Savior and the festivities surrounding it. Christmas is also the story of God’s mercy—mercy that reaches beyond spiritual need to include the physical and emotional need of the vulnerable and abused. Even more significant is that the depth of God’s mercy and concern for the poor is told through a young girl from a humble background. Mary herself was seemingly unimportant and susceptible to harm. When the angel Gabriel told Mary “you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30) and would bear God’s Son, her situation changed completely. ...

Sometimes in the middle of our busy schedules, numerous activities and responsibilities we need a reminder about God’s heart for those who are hurting and taken advantage of.