( Post Christmas Letdown )
'Twas 2 days after Christmas, and all through
the house,
Every creature was hurtin', even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.
Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while
Upstairs the family continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
I went into the kitchen and started to clean.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But the postman grinning from ear to ear.
With a handful of bills, he grinned like
a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.
Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:
"Now Walmart, now Zellers,
now Homesense and Sears
One bill, then another, oh yes… they’re all here!
To the tip of your limit, every store, every mall,
Now charge away--charge away--charge away all!"
He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.
Then I heard him exclaim with great
holiday cheer,
"Enjoy what you got. . . . . .you'll be paying
all year!"
Author Unknown
What can we
learn from the story of the Magi?
I SCRIPTURES
- Matthew 2: 1-2
1Now
after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi
from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2"Where is He
who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have
come to worship Him."
-
Wise men were likely Medes from the Mesopotamian region where Jews had lived in
exile for 70 years ( Daniel )
- Familiar with Jewish Scriptures,
especially Numbers 24: 17 - “A star
shall come out of Jacob”
II
-
Wise men specialized in astronomy, medicine and natural science
-
God provided this star- sign to lead them to Jesus
-
Extra-Biblical evidence for the star:
Ancient Chinese noted an “object” that appeared
for more than 70 days just about the time at which scholars placed Jesus’ birth.
Principle: God is continually
giving us signs and pointers in our lives to lead us to Christ and to follow
Him more closely.
-
From
Principle: May Jesus be our
spiritual destination, to boldly make Him known.
IV STRANGE Gifts?
Myrrh – You gotta
be kidding! Death is usually the
farthest thing from anyone’s mind upon a baby’s birth.
This gift to the Christ-child
announced His ultimate purpose.
V SECURITY
of Being in God’s will
– Luke 2: 12 - 12"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
A person in the will of God is invincible while the purpose of God is being accomplished.
Questions as we Approach 2010
1. Am I being used by God to draw others to Jesus?
2. When people see me, do they see Jesus? In other words, does my life reflect Him?
3. Am I willing to go through troubles and trials to know Him better?
4. What have I given to the Lord this Christmas Season?
5. Consider Deuteronomy 11:12 as you approach 2010
It is a land for which the LORD your God cares;
the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the
end of the year.