A Savior Has Been Born

The message this week was focused on the responses of the "players" in the story of Christmas:

• The Innkeeper - He was preoccupied with his own business.
• The Shepherds - They were, at first, afraid but they ultimately listened to the angel and went to find baby Jesus.
• King Herod - He was also afraid, but took action to eliminate what he perceived to be a threat to his own agenda.
• The Religious Leaders - Their response was pride, maybe because they wanted to be the first ones to know about the Messiah's birth.
• The Wise Men - Their response was one of perception. They paid attention to the evidence of the star and realized that the Messiah had been born.

Today, my challenge to you is this. As we go into the new year, what will your response to Christ be? It is interesting how many times people that are Christians have responses, in terms of how they do their daily lives, that are not unlike some of the "players" in the Christmas story.

So how about you? What will your response be day in and day out? Will you be like the innkeeper and be preoccupied with your own plans? Will you be like King Herod and be afraid to really commit 100% because of a fear of what will have to change in your life? Will you be like the religious leaders and do life on your own, being too prideful to admit a need for God to be involved in the intimate details of your life?

Or will you be like the shepherds, initially nervous about what might happen if you really seek Him, but in the end taking the leap of faith and following Him with reckless abandon? Will you be like the wise men, paying close attention God's hand prints all around you reminding you of God's love and care and desire for intimacy?

My prayer for you is that you will, like the shepherds, take the leap of faith and, like the wise men, look for God's hand prints and listen to what He says to you.

As we enter the new year, my prayer is that you will know Him and follow Him in a deeper and more intimate way.

Thoughts? Post a comment!