Monday, December 19, 2016

Following The Star To Bethlehem


I love this time of year. The glow of the Christmas tree radiating throughout the darkened living room brightens and lightens my heart, especially in the early mornings. 

And my heart's been heavy. 

I sit crisscross-applesauce by the tree and remove the star ornament. I lay it at my feet. The cat walks over and touches his nose to it, investigating this new thing. The amateur photographer in me snaps a quick picture.




Maybe I'll post this picture on Instagram, I think to myself. I travel back to my closet and retrieve my Bible from my church bag. 

I'll quote Scripture of the star that led the wise men to Jesus, I decide. Sitting down on the floor, all alone, I flip through my elderly Bible's pages, turning straight to Luke. I search and search for the star. I read all of Luke 2. Everyone knows Luke 2 is the nativity scene. Where's the star? Not in Luke?

Matthew? I flip to Matthew. 

There. There's the star. The star's in Matthew.

I smile and release my held breath.

My finger follows the wise men over the beautiful pages for every mention of the star.




And I wonder ... why isn't the star mentioned in Luke? Hmm. 

"Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

As I followed the star to Bethlehem, I thoughtO Soul Within, maybe, just maybe God left the star out of Luke, placed the star in another location, so that one might search for it. On this day. 2016. So that one might search a little harder, a little farther, for The One, the Christ-child, the God-man. And come to worship Him.

Who else is searching for the star in this moment?

I tuck my knees under my chin and hug my legs. 

Shelli, when's the last time you searched for the star? 

The star will always lead to Jesus. It will always bring one out of the east.

"After [the Magi] had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed." Matthew 2: 9-10

Oh, Lord, I never want to stop looking for the star ... looking for you. I never want to stop placing you in my daily life, with purpose. I never want to bog down with anxiety and deny the joy and peace that is my birthright as your child. 

I've been bogged down, Lord. 


Thank you for going ahead of me. I want a Jeremiah 29 moment with you, Lord. For always. "'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD." 

Thank you for giving me a reason to search for the star. To knock on the door. 

Make me wise. Make me search. Remind me to sit at your feet. Make me desire you. Help me to follow you.




See Him. 

This new thing, new every morning. Don't miss it.

O Soul Within, see the glow. Feel it. The wonder of it all. Open your heart, your treasure, and lay those burdens down. But not just anywhere or to anyone ... to The Onethe right one providing the right place. And receive the joy and peace.

"On coming to the house, [the Magi] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their teasures and presented him with gifts ..." Matthew 2:11-12


Merry Christmas
I love you.
Shelli





11 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Shelli. Just beautiful. So is your heart.

    xo

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    1. I love you, Julie-girl. You are truly a jewel in my life. Thank you for your continual support and love. xoxo

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  2. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post, Shelli. Sometimes it's so difficult to believe and live by the truth that "Everything belongs" in our life. So, I hold unswervingly ( well, not always unswervingly) to the hope I profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10.23 Merry Christmas to you!

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    1. Yes, Diane. It's been a rough few weeks regarding a family member's health issues ... if I'm not careful I'll create my own health issues. But oh yes ... "everything belongs" .... Merry Christmas, sweet friend.

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  3. We love you too, Shelli. I'm so sorry for the heaviness you've found in your heart, and pray that Christ's love will surround you this Christmas and always. You are HIS!

    And I think He delights in the curious cat.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/12/your-dying-spouse-247-preparing-for.html

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    1. You always make me smile ... brother of mine. My heart is getting lighter ... I can't wait to share details with you later. And yes ... don't you know He delights in a curious cat. How sweet to remind me of that. Merry Christmas to you and Barbara. xoxo

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  4. Merry Christmas, Shelli. May this one be extra special. Your pictures are beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Norma. You are a blessing to me. Sometimes we need a reminder to remember how fragile this life is. xoxo

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    2. And Norma, I love seeing you with your boys. Blesses my heart.

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  5. I had a late thought to this post, Shelli. Children often hear this advice: "follow your star." Our culture has it wrong, it isn't YOUR star you should follow. It is HIS star.

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    1. Oh, amen, Shirlee. Wow ... what awesome insight ... love that. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year celebration. Much love to you. xoxo

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Blessed by you, Shelli