A Light that changed hearts

Well, my friends, we are closing out another year! We have 4 days left of 2022 and then we are going to find ourselves standing in the year 2023!! Not sure about you, but I could use a brighter year!

Finishing up the story of the birth of Jesus in the book of Luke, we find that angels come and tell the shepherds of the glorious birth of the Savior. But in the book of Matthew, the Magi see the star and make their way to Jerusalem. In one book we find the Kingdom of God announcing the arrival of the baby Savior and in the other, we find the people of the world announcing the birth of a King.

The Shepherds Seeking a Savior

Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns watching their flock during the night. An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 

Luke 2:8-12, GWT

The shepherds set out for Bethlehem in search of a Savior. They were looking for the promise of redemption that had been prophesied. The shepherds were looking for the hope that only God could send to earth. The angel brought almost the same message to the shepherds as Gabriel did to Mary. That message started with “Fear Not.”

The shepherds had hearts that were seeking the true Messiah and not an earthly King. They found Him in a manger and they began to glorify and praise God as they returned home. The shepherds went to the Messiah with the hope of finding the true Savior that God’s Word had promised.

The Wise Men Seeking a King

Being from the East, the wise men were probably gentiles. The term “magi” refers to scholars who studied astronomy. They may have had Jewish influences about the birth of Jesus, but they were wanting to understand this phenomenon of the moving star and the Messiah. It is evident that they knew about the birth of Jesus from a Jewish standpoint because they wanted to worship the Savior. The wise men found the child and His mother in the house.

Once they come face to face with the toddler King, the wise men knew that the birth of this child was more than they had anticipated. They knew their idea of this young King was not what the scriptures had talked about. There were no robes or crowns. There were no sepulchers. There was only a boy and his mother in a small abode.

They asked, “Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him.” 
When King Herod and all Jerusalem heard about this, they became disturbed. 
He called together all the chief priests and the experts in the Scriptures and tried to find out from them where the Messiah was supposed to be born. 
They told him, “In Bethlehem in Judea. The prophet wrote about this: 
Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. A leader will come from you. He will shepherd my people Israel.” 

Matthew 2:2-6, GWT

God Beckons to Us All

Whether we are shepherds tending our flock or wise men of the world with our treasures, God will beckon us to Him. He wants us to come to Him in our present condition and allow Him to love us past our sinful nature.

The shepherds who were seeking truth were beckoned just as the wise men who were seeking the ruler. It doesn’t matter that they came at different times with different hearts. What matters is that when they left they were changed. The shepherds were full of rejoicing and gratitude and the wise men were full of awe and returned to their land.

It is amazing how God will call to us in a way that will meet our hearts. I love that His voice in my heart is made specifically for me to hear. It is not the same as it is for my kids or even my husband.

Why?????

Because we are all different. Our hearts react differently to His voice and His leading. While some need a little more nudging, others just need a whisper.

There are days I need to have more than a small still voice. God knows this and He is faithful to meet me where I am.

In Everything He Is Everything

I think about the birth of Christ and how it is so much more than I first thought. I come to realize that

in the promise, He is the hope that will strengthen my faith…

in the manger He represents the manna that will sustain me..

in His birth, He is the Savior that cries for my soul…

in the star, He is the light that will lead me through the darkest times of life…

New Year, New Season, New Beginnings

As we end this year with the star take time to focus on the light that leads you. Are you seeking the star for a savior or are you seeking the star for a ruler?

What is your promise for 2023?

Will you be seeking the riches of the world or treasures of heaven?

A new year can be full of new things. It will bring new seasons for 2023 and there will be opportunities for new beginnings.

New beginnings can be established with new foundations. One of the important aspects of creating a new foundation is to place the Cornerstone. This will keep your foundation steady and strong.

Look for more information about the Cornerstone in January 2023!!!