What Is Christmas Without A Little Drama

                                                     When The Door Slams

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."                                                                                                            Matthew 2:7-8 NIV  

        What is Christmas without a little drams? For children, the plethora of casting options includes sheep and camels. For adults, the choices narrow a bit, and some parts admittedly have become more favored than others. Which part would you prefer to play? Zechariah? Joseph? A shepherd? Or A wise man? 

        No, we reject such options and by default find ourselves living in ease and plenty, like King Herod, who feigned reverence for the one born King of the Jews, yet was driven by the cold calculus that a slaughter of the innocents now might, possibly, someday save his own neck.

        Why did the Magi risk everything? These wise men had become desperate, compelled, and finally obsessed. In the end, they traveled a thousand miles or more, probably in a small camel train, only to stop in Jerusalem to ask, "Where is the newborn King of the Jews?" King Herod was deeply disturbed when they asked this (Matthew 2:3 NIV). These men may have come from a prestigious city of the ancient Medes, Persians, or Chaldeans. Braving extreme heat, sandstorms, and the constant threat of thieves, these Magi traveled for months through foreign lands to the far west-to within a day of the great Mediterranean Sea.           

        Yes, with such a clear-cut calculus, we too are more than eager to raise our hands and voices, saying, "Pick me! I want to play the part of King Herod." Yes, it is us. True that, we won't take their lives ourselves, but we will demand that today's international aliens, and refugees die somewhere else, offstage, if only to ensure that we still get to take the final bow.

        After all, King Herod has the best of all lines: "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!" (Matthew 2:8 NIV).

        Think about this: Jesus is not only the light of the world; He is also its salvation. Jesus came to this earth so that we might not perish, but instead spend eternity with Him. What a glorious gift; what a priceless opportunity. 

        As mere mortals, we cannot fully understand the scope, and thus the value, of eternal life. Our vison is limited but God's is not. God sees all things; God knows all things and His plans for you extend throughout eternity.

        If you have not already done so, this is the perfect time to make the ultimate choice and turn your life over to God's only begotten Son. When you give your heart to the Son, you belong to the Father-today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.

        Petition: Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul (Proverbs 2:9-10 NIV). There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2 NIV). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                             Never Rest Ministries