“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, `We saw the star in the east and we have come to worship Him.’ ” (Matt. 2:1-2)

Christmas is a special time of year. It is a time when people give and share. It is a time for family. It is a time when people go to extremes that they would not go to during other times of the year. It is a time of peace and reflection.

There are those who miss the spirit of Christmas because they get all bogged down in trying to decide whether December 25th is really the “birthday” of Jesus or not. Who cares? If you want to know the truth, He was probably born on April 15th. After all, Joseph and Mary were going to participate in a census and pay their income taxes. We are foolish to get caught up in the details on this issue.

The example of the Magi, the Wise Men is critical to this story. It is obvious that God “sent” His only Son (John 3:16) just as it is obvious that Jesus wanted to come (John 10:17-18). It is also obvious that God arranged the stable for Joseph and Mary. You could say that God “sent” them there. It is obvious that God “sent” the angels to the shepherds in the fields with the great message of peace, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord…” God called the shepherds. He arranged to have the animals in the stable. He arranged the clear starry night that would make the great star visible. God made it all happen.

In the midst of all this planning, in the sight of all this prearranging, and not to say that God did not predestine this event, the Wise Men SOUGHT Him. Wise men seek Jesus.

We live among a world of people today who are steadily marching further away from God. Preachers are preaching, churches are crying out, “Come to this church.” People are being “churched” to death. Some have sought the Christ, others have sought the system. Still others ignore it all.

Please do not misunderstand me. I want people in church. I want to live among a community of church going people. I want to live among the moral standards that church-going people learn. But, I had rather live among a community of believers that seek the Christ. One can go to church without ever seeking the Christ.

Wise men seek Him. Those who are in the world without Christ can seek Him. When the search starts, God will provide a teacher. It may be a Bible that they pick up and read for themselves, or it may be YOU. You may be the only Bible that some will ever read.

It is critical that those who are already in a covenant relationship with Jesus continue to seek Him. We must not think that because we are already Christians that we know all there is to know about Jesus. We must not think that we have the deepest and most personal relationship that exists. If we are to be wise and follow the example of the Magi, we must seek Him.

The Magi, the Wise Men, looked toward the heavens and followed a star. Perhaps if we were to once again look toward the heavens, “set your minds on things that are above…”, we too might find that star. Remember, WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

God Bless&GOOOOOOO DAWGS,

Rev. Marshall Murphy

Rev. Murphy is the Pastor at the First Christian Church in Demopolis. He can be reached at the church office at 289-3615 or by email at marshall@georgiadogs.com