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Christmas


This Christmas I was struck by two aspects of the visitors in the nativity story. The shepherds and the wise men. Both were presented with an opportunity, to be a part of something bigger than they would ever know. But with the opportunity came risk. The wise men had to leave their home, their country and travel to a foreign land. The shepherds were asked to leave their flocks, probably not their own flocks but the flocks of their master. They were asked to trust God with their livelihood, their lives. But if they were obedient they are given an opportunity. An opportunity to see the king. And so it is with us. If we are obedient, if we are willing to take a risk, to trust in God, he promises us that we will see the king.

The second aspect that struck me was how encouraging it must have been to have these visitors for Joseph and Mary. Sure scary at first, these are strangers at the most vulnerable time. But for Mary and Joseph this must have been a time of doubt. For Joseph wondering if he was being a fool, following his heart not his head, and for Mary, what was to become of her life, what had she taken on, would God, could God really use her? Enter the stranger. Enter the wise men and the shepherds. Two groups of people, both with the same invitation to join a story they didn’t yet fully know. But for Mary and Joseph confirmation they never were, and never would be alone. They were in the presence of the King, they were in the story that would change the world.

Be obedient. Trust God. You will see the King.

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