December 26, 2024

Dr. Shawn Soever
"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
Luke 2:15-20

We did it yesterday on Christmas, and we have done it every year for over 20 years now.  We wake up in the morning, and we go on a scavenger hunt for baby Jesus.  I leave clues around and the rest of the family goes searching.  We do this to slow down the morning, pause before presents, and emulate the shepherds who went on a search for a baby in a manger.

In the Garden of Eden at the start of the Bible, Adam and Eve sinned…and God came searching for them.  In Luke 19:10, Jesus said that he came to “seek and save the lost”.  The story of the Bible is the amazing story of a loving God pursuing his people.

So as a response, on Christmas morning we look for Jesus.  I would encourage you to look for him today.  Look for his love in your life.  Look for him in relational connections you cherish. Look for him in blessings you receive.

My family always ends up finding baby Jesus in our house.  And more importantly, God promised through the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you and will bring you back from captivity.”