December 9, 2018
The Second Sunday of Advent
The Call to LOOK and SEE…
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” Isaiah 9:2
Look at the beauty of Christmas… See the Light shining in the darkness…Look and remember… Look and wait with eager anticipation…and great expectation!
Have you noticed the absolute delight as children Look and See, captivated by the light of the season…Have you noticed what they do when they encounter a Christmas Tree ten times their height…so tall that they cannot even see the top of the beautifully adorned tree? Have you noticed the light shining in their eyes…and the light spilling over from their hearts, reflecting The Light of the season?
Have you noticed the reaction of children discovering the Nativity Scene? I am amazed when they run towards the manger, passing the wise men, the shepherds, and the adoring parents, Mary and Joseph, to the place where Baby Jesus rests in the manger…His first home here on earth. My grandchildren wrestle a bit over who will be the first to hold Baby Jesus! (And the truth…Jesus holds us all.) Yes, I have noticed the Light in their eyes…I think we all have experienced delight when our precious ones LOOK and SEE!
Two thousand years ago a group of educated and wise travelers from a land east of Israel, (the Middle- eastern region-Saudi Arabia, or Iraq, or perhaps Iran or Yemen…) men who were highly aware of astrology and astronomy ‘Looked and they Saw’! They recognized a new brilliance in the sky, majestic in its presence, unique…blazing and alluring…beckoning them to…
‘Come and to See’…
The wise men were compelled to go and to follow the star…Something prevailed upon them…Something riveted their minds and their hearts…and, they followed the star…
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
I have often wondered just how they knew to go; how did they know to follow? In truth, they were looking and watching. Perhaps they knew the prophecy:
“I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.” Numbers 24:17
Perhaps they knew to watch for the star…Or perhaps they had such detailed knowledge of the heavenlies, as they Looked into the night sky, they recognized a brilliance in the night sky which was majestic, supernatural, compelling them to follow…follow…Look and See…Follow the Star.
Look and See…Discover and Experience
Today, on the Second Sunday of Advent, may we continue our preparation and our celebration of this glorious season of Christmas. May we wait with remembrance, as we celebrate His birth. May we wait with anticipation, and expectation for the Second Coming of the Messiah, the King of Kings! And we wait on the One we love and we Look…and See…Watch…and Wait…
Oh my dear precious friends, I pray that we Look and See the beautiful signs of Christmas…the language and display of love, the faces of our loved ones, and friends. May we Look and See people surrounding our lives, their smiles, as well as their heart-aches; and may we shine the Love of God into their lives…the Love of Christmas so they will sing its song! So they will know to follow His Star…so they will Look and See, and will know Jesus…so they will know to follow Him.
I pray that our eyes and our hearts will open to His brilliance. That we Look and See the glory of our God, the love and the mercy of Jesus, with a child’s wonder and total abandon. I pray we share the Joy of His Presence with people who are hungry, thirsty, hurting and craving what this world cannot give them. Yes, on this Sunday, we celebrate the Gift…the most wonderful Gift…
Yes, we will Look and See!
“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!” Matthew 2:10
Love you in Jesus,
