Everywhere we look there seems to be poverty, corruption, natural disaster. What hope could there possibly be for any kind of future?
There's got to be more. There's got to be a purpose, a life worth living. There's got to be something, someone to hope in...but where?
I look into the future, And I see the nation of Israel.
A king, like a bright star, will arise in that nation.
Like a comet he will come from Israel.
Numbers 24: 17a
Israel. Where's that? I've heard they follow one god. One of the merchants from a caravan said they are looking for a savior. Maybe we aren't the only ones looking for a reason to hope. I'd give everything I own to gaze upon the one who could bring hope into this dismal world.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and all the faraway lands by the sea bring gifts to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring their tribute to him.
11 May all kings bow down to our king. May all nations serve him.
Psalm 72: 10-11 ERV
There's been some rumbling among the star-gazers recently. They say a new star has suddenly appeared. A traveler from Israel told the innkeeper that their prophets say a star rising in the east means the Savior is imminent.
Maybe it's time, time to break out of this desolation in my spirit. Maybe it's time to take a risk, take a risk in exchange for the hope I've been desperately longing to find.
Maybe it's time, time to break out of this desolation in my spirit. Maybe it's time to take a risk, take a risk in exchange for the hope I've been desperately longing to find.
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time when Herod was king. Soon afterward, some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2: 1-2 GNT
We're almost there! If there is a God who inhabits this land, I hope he doesn't mind interlopers. Hope. We haven't even confirmed the existence of this child, this savior, but already, there is a spark of hope within me.
What will we find, if anything? An infant-king? An infant-king who is believed to be the Savior of his people? How can this be? How can a babe save others when he is too small to save himself?
What will we find, if anything? An infant-king? An infant-king who is believed to be the Savior of his people? How can this be? How can a babe save others when he is too small to save himself?
The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2: 11 ERV
He's here! He's here! The whispers we heard of angels heralding his birth as we rode through town must be true. Herod was right to fear him. This awful, stinky place is so dark, and yet filled with a light from no fire or candle. Is this where the God of Israel was born, where he now sleeps?
There's something different. Look at their faces! Not just the beaming faces of Mary and Joseph. Of course they are proud and doting, but look at the faces of everyone else who is coming and going. They are jubilant, but calm. They are peaceful without complacency. What is it?
Adoration, that's it! No, there's more. Look into their eyes, they see beyond this place and the light doesn't dim. It's the same light that illumines the face of the babe. It's hope!
Each one of us has come for the same reason. I see others with expensive gifts, shepherds, merchants, children. All of us drawn to this place to see for ourselves hope...revealed!
There's something different. Look at their faces! Not just the beaming faces of Mary and Joseph. Of course they are proud and doting, but look at the faces of everyone else who is coming and going. They are jubilant, but calm. They are peaceful without complacency. What is it?
Adoration, that's it! No, there's more. Look into their eyes, they see beyond this place and the light doesn't dim. It's the same light that illumines the face of the babe. It's hope!
Each one of us has come for the same reason. I see others with expensive gifts, shepherds, merchants, children. All of us drawn to this place to see for ourselves hope...revealed!
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