Eddie Lowe
Just A Thought
As the longest nights of the year settle over us, many people quietly begin wrestling with seasonal depression despite the message of glad tidings the holidays bring.
December can be a difficult month. Some struggle to afford Christmas gifts while others brace for the cold that January will soon deliver. For this issue, we turn our attention toward a bright spot of hope found in the scriptural account of our Lord’s humble birth. Our inspiration comes from the Gospel of Matthew, told through the viewpoint of the wise men who traveled from the east, historically understood to be Persia.
As with many familiar Bible stories, assumptions have been passed down through tradition. One example is the idea that there were only three wise men. This likely comes from the three gifts presented: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Another assumption is that the wise men arrived at the manger. Yet Matthew’s Gospel clearly states that when they arrived, Jesus was found in a house. These clarifications are not meant to alter our cherished Christmas plays but rather to magnify the depth of hope and the dedication these wise men displayed in their long journey to see Jesus.
Secular studies suggest that the wise men were likely astrologers who understood both the stars and the scriptural prophecy concerning the Messiah’s birthplace. This leads us to the heart of our reflection titled “They Left Another Way.” After the wise men worshiped the Christ child and presented their gifts, scripture tells us that “they left another way.” They sensed the evil intent of King Herod and, rather than expose Jesus’ location, chose a different route home.
There is a beautiful message in that simple phrase. Any true encounter with Jesus changes the heart, the direction, and the outlook of a person. You leave differently than you arrived. This is where hope speaks to us today.
None of us are promised an easy road. Some reading this are waiting for medical results, hoping for the best while fearing the worst. Others are weighed down by financial strain, with overdue bills and mounting pressure. Some are walking through a troubled marriage. Life can feel uneven, with some prospering while others fall behind. Even with our best efforts, we sometimes slip into discouragement. At night, when our heads rest on the pillow, our minds still race, searching for hope.
Imagine the fear Mary must have felt with every small sound her newborn made. The birthplace of Jesus reveals the poverty Joseph and Mary endured, with only a feed trough as a makeshift crib. Shortly after the departure of the wise men, Joseph and Mary were warned by God to flee into Egypt for safety. King Herod, threatened by the news of a newborn king, ordered the horrific slaughter of male children two years old and younger. It would have been easy for them to lose hope or to question God in their hardship. Yet they clung to faith, trusting that God had a plan and that they were part of it.
And so are we. Every one of us is created in the image of God, and He never sleeps nor slumbers. Even in the darkest seasons, His presence remains.
I would like to leave you with two simple thoughts that have helped me.
Number one: Ask God for direction in your life. Wise men still seek Him.
Number two: Ask God for guidance in the decisions you face each day.
God bless you, friends.
