Do you ever take a moment to look up into the sky? I was just outside looking up at the sky… it was so big… the moon was out, looked so bright… there were some clouds, but not enough to cover the entire sky, but most of it… then there was some partly clear sky for some of the stars to shine through… let me tell you this, it was magnificent!
But what happens when we are so driven in life, we forget to take the moment to just look up. This season can be especially busy for most, coming to the end of the year projects or goals…trying to give it that extra umph… or having to shop for Christmas presents and then wrap… or what about traveling to get to family… I wonder how many people are so exhausted from the preparations of family gatherings, they don’t even get to enjoy it!
Also, what happens if we are down in life… maybe life is just too much to even want to look up… we have this miniature schnauzer and we can tell when he is down because his nub is down… so we will say, “Uh Oh, nub is down!” Maybe your nub is down right now, and maybe it is just too much to look up. I have been there, and I am not saying I won’t be there again, but it is hard to see what is up there when you can barely lift your head up to make it through the day!
Tonight, as I was looking at the sky, I realized the significance of the sky. I believe God created the heavens and the earth, and I believe that we need to worship the Creator and not the creation, but I also believe we can be in awe of His creation, and the significance of His creation.
I bet right now you’re wishing I would just get to the point. Me too… But think about this season right now… it’s Christmas time! Back in the day there were some wise men, who watched the stars, watched the sky for signs… more like studied them… and they saw this star that changed their entire world! Can you imagine if they were too busy, too overwhelmed… or maybe too beat or broken to have looked up and observed the majesty of the sky… they would’ve missed this life changing experience!
The Bible tells us, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem… wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him.” These wise men knew what they were looking for, but they were just having a hard time finding it… maybe that’s you… you know what you want, but you just are having a hard time finding it. Now look at this next part… “…the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.”
How cool is that? The Star in the sky led them to what they were looking for… when I was outside tonight, it really struck me about the significance of the sky, how magnificent it is, how big it is, how scary it can look at times, but also how peaceful it can be as well… But in this story, the Star led them to what they were looking for, and I believe it is where we all need to end up being led to… which is why we are celebrating Christmas… the Star led them to Jesus!
So, whatever place you are in right now… may you be able to take time to look up and see the beauty of the creation and worship the Creator for this creation! May you be able to find joy in something this season, maybe something small or maybe something big! May you be led to the feet of Jesus and enjoy His presents this year… which is His presence! Merry Christmas to you!
Wow! Jay you truly have a gift. I say to all lift your head and don’t miss what gifts God has before you. This was terrific. Please do continue writing. Merry Christmas!