Are You Looking?

During the Christmas season, let’s be looking. You might be thinking, “Looking for what?” Looking for Christmas! E.B. White said, “To perceive Christmas through all its wrappings becomes more difficult with each passing year.” Once a year, Christmas comes around again to jog our memories, open our eyes, and reminds us we need a Savior.

A man was looking for whom he called, "The consolation of Israel." His name was Simeon. The Lord told him that he would not die until he saw the Savior. I'm not sure if he was good-looking, but I can tell this, he sure was good at looking. Simeon was aware, his eyes wide open, understanding that the time was coming when he would see His Savior. He refused to close his ears or his eyes to a word from God.

Finally, God's word became visible in Simeon's world. Simeon saw His Savior because he was looking for his Savior. “Now Lord, let me depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Thy salvation.” (Luke 2:30) The first step for seeing is to be looking.

Elizabeth and Zacharias were looking for Christmas. Mary and Joseph were looking for Christmas. The shepherds were looking for Christmas. The wise men were looking for Christmas. Simeon was looking for Christmas. Anna was looking for Christmas. Christmas only begins ‘to look a lot like Christmas’ if you're looking for Christmas. Are you looking? 

Please take note. There are heaps of Scrooges and Grinches out there, strutting and preening about, wanting us to look at them rather than Christmas. Herod (state government) missed Christmas. Matt. 2:3. The priests (religion) missed Christmas. Matt. 2:4 The scribes (education/academia) missed Christmas. Matt. 2:4. The innkeeper (business) missed Christmas. Lk. 2:7. The Roman Empire and Caesar Augustus (federal government) missed Christmas. Lk. 2:1. All of Jerusalem (everyday people in the city) missed Christmas. Matt. 2:3. The Roman soldiers (military) missed Christmas. Matt 2:16. Remember, seeing starts with looking.

For those looking for Christmas, don't be surprised if God takes you on a journey of inconvenience and then repositions you just like Joseph and Mary. Don't be surprised if a mysterious 'star' appears to guide you to where you need to be to see what God wants you to see. Don't be surprised if wise men come from afar with gifts, blessings, and smiles. Why? You are where God wants you to be because you saw what God wanted you to see.

Are you looking? Don't miss Christmas, this Christmas. Christmas breaks through the fog, the chaos, and the confusion. Christmas brings clarity. And in today's world, clarity is a rarity!