Years ago there was a highly educated man who spent his career studying the stars. He was wealthy and respected, and almost everyone around him looked up to him. He was so important that powerful leaders and politicians asked to meet with him to learn as much as they could about what he knew.
By any stretch of the imagination, you might think he had it all. Money, power, respect, influence. Most likely, he could have anything he wanted at any time.
And yet, he was still looking for something else. Constantly. Relentlessly. Which tells me that no matter what he already had or how much he already knew, he was unsettled.
He knew there was more to all this than what he already had.
Despite all his worldly possessions and power and status, he was still seeking the face of God.
As the story goes, there were two others just like him, although the number is not really known, and no one knows their names. And whether you call them wise men, kings, or magi, we know they were wealthy, educated, powerful, and traveled a great distance without electricity, combustible engines, cell phones, or GPS by following a star in the sky.
A star.
In the sky.
With all the other stars, they noticed this particular one.
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” - Matthew 2:10
They had been looking for this sign their entire lives and, when it appeared, they deliberately left everything, risking danger and bandits and sickness and possible ridicule and humiliation to follow this star and find where it would lead.
They were seekers.
And they somehow knew what they were seeking was the only true answer.
It wasn’t about money, power, approval, influence, or fame. It wasn’t about politics. It wasn’t about stuff. It wasn’t about wrapping paper, eggnog, ornaments, or Amazon.
Although, I’ll admit a good eggnog, like the one my dad used to make, is hard to beat.
It was about a baby.
It was about the one, true, living Christ.
And they had been looking for him their entire lives.
Of all the figures you come across in the Christmas story, I am fascinated with and relate to those three wise men the most. In my sixty-four years on this planet, with more blessings than I could ever count, I too find myself seeking the face of God.
I’ve come to realize it’s the “seeking” part God wants me engaged in at all times. To always be looking and listening and praying so I can see and hear exactly what he wants from me.
Which is hard to do in an age of distraction.
When I get wrapped around the axel with worry, fear, sadness, and non-stop overthinking about thin things - I try to remember it’s really very, very simple.
I am a flawed human being. A sinner who could not possibly earn my way into heaven no matter how “good” I am or how many works I notch in my empathy belt. I am not worthy of being shown mercy or grace. I do not deserve to say, “forgive me.”
And yet, he did.
And for meeting us where we are, and wiping the slate clean, all he asks is that we seek him and believe.
It’s the simple.
Yes, yes I know the work begins after that. The awkward, messy, stop-and-start process of trying to live up to that forgiveness. The sanctification that draws us back when we drift away.
Like how it feels to recenter my thoughts in yoga, which reminds me why I don’t often do yoga because of that uncomfortable feeling.
And yes, I know the details and translations of the story are highly contested and endlessly debatable. The back and forth or that does not hold my interest; the message of seeking him with all my heart is far too simple and pure and profound.
My dad was a brilliant man and I valued everything he taught me. He too was a seeker who lived it every single day. Before he passed away he said, “keep your eyes on Jesus” and I’ve found that be the most important thing he ever said.
All this to say I hope your Christmas is filled with love, joy, delight, and wonder. With boxes, bows, chocolate, songs, and that perfect gift. And somewhere in the chaos of it all, I hope you are blessed with one of those magical little moments when you seek him and find him and know you are loved more than life itself.
Merry Christmas,
Ann
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
- Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
