Seeking God (Matthew 2:1-12) - a podcast by Don Shoemaker, Steve Williams, and Bob Wriedt
from 2021-12-05T16:00
So, are you ready for Christmas?
When I hear that question, my blood pressure ticks up a bit. I think of all the things I don’t have yet - gifts for people I love, plans nailed down, and a message for Christmas Eve (okay, that last one might be a weird pastor-problem).
While the anxiety of the season can put a strain on our souls, it can also offer a silver lining by reminding us that we are currently living in the age of preparation. While it can be embarrassing to come to Christmas day with no gift ready for our spouse, it is much worse (infinitely, so) to come to the return of Jesus unprepared.
Advent is a time of preparation, shaping our hearts to notice God.
This week at Grace, we’re continuing our series “God at Work.” In Matthew 2:1-12, the famous passage about the coming of the wise men, we see two conflicting approaches to preparation - on the one hand, magi that put everything they had into finding God. On the other, Herod's fear-based attempts to avoid God.
Looking forward to preparing with you on Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
-Matthew 2:1-12
Further episodes of Grace Community Church of Seal Beach
Further podcasts by Don Shoemaker, Steve Williams, and Bob Wriedt