Life Through the Lens: Believe, listen and follow at Christmas

This post – part four in a four-part Christmas series – was contributed by Kevin Schrapel, and is the author’s personal opinion. Read part one here, part two here and part three here.

About two years later, a king, King Herod, was boss in this country.

He was mean, nasty, bad-tempered and got mad if anyone suggested there might be another king.

Well, guess what?

Suddenly he had these blokes turn up at his palace door with a strange request.

They respectfully met with Herod – after all, he was the king – and told him they were wise men from a different country.

They studied stars and believed a new star that travelled had led them to a new king.

Herod thought, “New king, not likely!”

But he hid his anger and instead said, “You beaut – tell you what, you find him, then I can come and worship him too”.

But he was actually thinking, “You find him and I’ll get rid of him”.

The wise men continued following that star and found the young Jesus.

They gave him the presents they had brought: gold, frankincense which smelled good and sweet, and spicy-smelling myrrh.

Later God told these men not to go back to Herod – remember, he had terrible plans for Jesus.

God also sent a messenger, probably one of his angels, to Joseph, warning about King Herod’s not-nice plans and telling Joseph to take his family and migrate to Egypt until God could let him know it was safe to come home.

That is just what Joseph did.

So, is Christmas only about presents, tinsel and holidays?

No, it’s about God and ordinary people who believed in God’s love, listened to him and did as he said – ordinary people like you.

You might ask, “But how can I know what God wants?”

It might seem hard at first, but he has promised to help.

First, despite all that might be going on in your life, try to believe that he does love you and wants what is best for you and your life.

Find a couple of Jesus followers and talk to them.

That might mean going to a church, where they do try to be friendly.

Read God’s words in the Bible – the book of John is an excellent place to start.

Take time to be silent and let him talk to your heart.

Give it a try.

You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.

God bless you, and may you have a very blessed and joyous Christmas.

You can help keep local stories like this one free for everyone to read. Subscribe to Murray Bridge News today and support your independent, locally owned news service, plus get access to exclusive stories you won’t find anywhere else, from just $5 a month.