CHRISTMAS FOR YOU Daniel A. Brown, Ph.D.

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east,
and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2

The most prominent people groups in the Christmas story are the shepherds keeping watch
over their flocks, and the Wise Men, whose scholarly studies of spiritual writings and
sightings had led them to follow the Star that had appeared in the world (see Micah 5:2 and
Matthew 2:6). Both the shepherds and the seekers have things to say to us on Christmas Eve.

The shepherds were simply doing their job that night, like every night; nothing special or
spiritual-seeming had hinted to them of what was about to happen. Some people falsely
imagine that everyday life isn’t high enough or worthy enough for God’s attention. The
shepherds say otherwise; they were just going about their regular routine of living life, like
wading through all the chores of keeping a household going, maintaining the car and
keeping driveway weeds at bay. Such doings, the stuff of steady life, are actually quite big in
God's book. That’s one reason why He calls Himself our Shepherd.

Though He does warn us about life’s distracting effects (actually, about the cares of life and
worries), the Lord asks us to simply trust that He cares about daily life—and about us. After
all, He chose to send His Son into our world. He isn’t reluctant to “dirty” His hands with our
base existence; rather, like a proud Father, who gets a chance to secretly observe one of His
kids manage a small office or expertly trim the rough edge of a piece of carpet, God delights
in your shepherd-soul, and all the noble ways you keep facing life. It is no accident that the
angels announced the Good News to a bunch of guys working the nightshift.

But you have a seeker-soul, too. It lifts your heart skyward; it directs your gaze to things
unexplainable in just-natural language. Like the Wise Men, you have seen or felt clues about
God from beyond the range of your daily life, and though you may not fully understand (yet)
those vague premonitions, or His inscriptions in the night sky, you find yourself wanting to
journey toward them. You know, deep down, that you are being wooed, beckoned to the God
in Heaven, who long ago stepped into this earth.

What calls you is called the Holy Spirit. He bids you to come meet the God who formed you
in the womb, and who has loved you since before the existence of your shepherd-life. The
star that appeared 2000 years ago, no longer shines in the sky; now, instead of just knowing
about His coming, we know His Name—the Name that is above all others because it belongs
to the One who reminds us that we belong to the Lord, as part of His family. The baby’s
Name, the Shepherds’ Good News, the Wise Men’s sought-after-One, the answer to all of
life’s questions—His Name is Jesus.

So, on this Eve of everything getting turned around in the world, may we say, “Merry, merry
Christmas to you.” Not because of eggnog and super sales. Not for the days off work or for
getting new shirts. Not because of all its delightful trimmings and presents and food. But
because everyone who wants to follow the promptings they experience as Shepherds or Wise
Men, can see the Light of the world, and welcome Him into their heart.

The Coastlands,
Aptos Foursquare Church