So Christmas is Over Now

So Christmas is over now for another year. Did all the songs on the radio, the shopping, the parties---make you sad or maybe even empty feeling? Maybe it was wonderful for you and you felt great. Either way, we need to look outside ourselves and see what God might be doing during this holiday time. Is He working in your life? What about the lives of the students at your school? Look around. See what you think.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1,2

When I was in college many years ago in the mid-southern section of the United States, something fascinating happened. It was incredible. It was glorious. It was frightening---and I missed it.

I had only seen pictures of the beautiful ribbons of light known as Aurora Borealis----The Northern Lights. Living as far south as I always had, I didn't even consider viewing it as a possibility, unless of course, I visited Canada or Alaska. Yet, one day as I began my day on campus, the news of the spectacular show of the previous evening reached my ears. As I recall, it seems that someone had even thought it was the "end of the world." The Northern Lights had actually become visible that night in Arkansas. Where was I? Somewhere inside a building, oblivious to what would have been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. As stories of the red bands in the sky reached my ears, disappointment filled my heart. I wished that I could have somehow known.

The Magi had been looking. They were aware of the methodical changes in the appearance of the night sky. They saw the unusually bright star. They were also aware of the prophecies. They knew there was to be born a king of the Jews. They must have been living out their lives with an attitude of informed expectancy. They were prepared.

How many things in my life would God have shown me---the fascinating things, the incredible things, the glorious, yet frightening things---if only I'd been watching, waiting......expecting.

Lord, help me to learn to look for You---to watch expectantly for Your presence and activity.