What would it profit a person to have celebrated Christmas (or refused to celebrate) and lose the meaning… Christ Himself?
Christmas is so full of emotion. Some people’s emotions are jazzed with partying all December long while others dread the thought of the holidays because of sadness or pain. The Bible says that He is “Immanuel God with us”. So we know that in whatever emotion we find ourselves, Christ longs to be there with us. But then… is there somewhere He wants to take us? Is there something deeper than holiday emotions that God wants us to experience this Advent?
The word Advent comes from the Latin words advenire (to come to) & adventus (an arrival) and refers to Christ’s coming into this world. It teaches us to always come to Christ even as we anticipate His arrival. It signifies a searching for Christ Himself. Advent is the season before Christmas and the focus of Advent is not just Christ’s first coming but is also a reminder of the Second Coming of Christ when He comes again to judge the world.
The Wise men set out on a long journey to behold the Miracle of Christmas. This road trip was the trip of a lifetime. These men were true seekers of Christ. In Matthew 2 we see them meeting Mary and Jesus and bowing their knees. They found the Messiah and their knees just buckled. They left their extravagant, prophetic gifts (see last week’s message to learn more) and left changed forever.
Matthew 2 reveals Mary, who has already surrendered her life to the will of God. She said yes to “come to” His arrival! She takes the road less traveled, the road of devotion. She has been uniquely chosen to be the Mother of the Messiah. How cool is that? And yet she has already learned at his dedication (Luke 2:34-35) that she will live through the deepest pain as a result of saying yes to the will of God. Still, she doesn’t leave Jesus on someone’s doorstep, she doesn’t change direction… she stays a lover and follower of Jesus until the day she sees Him face to face on the other side.
Wherever you are, let the road you are on lead you to Christ, Himself. Allow this Advent season to invite you to seek Him, know him and worship Him. Let those encounters change you and draw you deeper into a life of love and devotion to Jesus. The reason for the season.
Seeking the Savior,
