Glory Seed Devotional’s, 2016: Year of the Blessing…
The Magi Story...
Shalom!
The shepherds weren’t the only ones that had knowledge of Jesus’ birth. In fact if everyone living during that period of history had read and believed in the prophecies Jesus’ birth would have come as no surprise. But it didn’t come as a surprise to the Magi (wise men) from the east. “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”” (Matthew 2:1–2, NLT)
While tradition says the Magi was at the manger the night of Jesus’ birth not everyone agrees with tradition but as far as I am concerned it is the visit and the reason behind the visit that is important not the timing. What is impresses me about the visit of the Magi the fact the only proof they had was the prophecies and the celestial light that was not only a guide but a symbol of hope as well. When I think of our relationship with Jesus like the Magi we have no real proof of Jesus’ existence. We have what we consider proof gained from the testimony of the Holy Spirit, our personal encounters with Jesus, our bibles but absolute undisputable proof we don’t have.
Like you I am not sure what the upcoming year might or might not bring. Because I am in my “reclining” years each and every day becomes more important and while looking back becomes a sanctuary where I can hide from the unknown but the pulse of time carries me forward some times kicking and screaming other times eagerly moving on. As I sit here in our kitchen thinking about what might or might not be the I find the journey of the Magi, following what they believe from their studies and the celestial light that points the way I find myself embedded deeply in their story. Unlike the Magi the only gift’s I have to offer Jesus is myself and my belief in Him. I remember from the television show Laugh In the phrase, “the Fickle Finger of Fate” it always got a lot of laughs. But our lives are no laughing matter (although we need to laugh at times) and for me the Celestial Light that guides, encourages, and strengthen me completely overshadows the Fickle Finger of Fate.
Thinking about 2017 only a few days away the Christmas story, the Shepherd’s story, the Magi story, and my story accompany me forward into a year of Hope. It is my prayer that when you think about 2017 you might remember the Christmas story, the Shepherd’s story, and your story and embrace it filled with Hope.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”**
GRACE and PEACE,
Gary
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“Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.”
**Romans 15:13, NLT
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