Pastor's Column 12/31/2023

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. The he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him. come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” “…When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.”      Matthew 2:7-8; 12, NLT

The Sunday After Nativity: “Decision”

The decisions we make in life should be made with careful thought and boldness. It may be because of the responsibility involved in making a decision, some people avoid embracing a choice that will take them from their comfort zone. Long ago, the prophet Elijah scolded the people of Israel for being indecisive about their future; and for failing to make a decision that would please God and benefit them. The Scripture describes the tense scene: “Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver between two opinions. If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal is God, then follow him! But the people were completely silent.” (I Kings 18:21, NLT). The NLT comments state, the Hebrew term which renders “waver,” means “to be limp” or “of no use.” One of the end-narratives describing Christ’s birth, is the appearance and experience of the Magi, or Wise Men. They were said to come from the East, which likely was Persia; or modern-day Iran. These men believed in the words of the prophets, and were eager to find the Messiah, whom they were tracking by following a star that led them some 800-900 miles east. Before they reached Bethlehem, they were ordered to a meeting with King Herod. He wanted them to find the Child- Messiah and come back to him with that news. But after the Wise Men visited Jesus and His parents, and gave them gifts; they left and returned home an opposite route. That decision was a bold response to God’s plan, and they made it without any reservation. When we look upon the Savior, our decisions will be right; leading us also, on our life- journey!