Following the Star

Pause

Between getting ready in the morning for the day and getting ready at night for sleep, we live our lives. Many of those hours are spent preparing for the hours to come.

But even as we wait for what is going to happen, it is important to stop. To stop and simply be still.

Sometimes being still is the best preparation of all.

Listen

Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord”; and you shall be called, “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.”

Isaiah 62:10-12

Think

Are you still looking for that perfect gift? Have you searched high and low? Are you looking at your favorite stores…asking advice…checking online?

One year, my children were at a loss as to what to give their grandfather. As a last resort, they went to the high school from which he had graduated. They sought the help of the librarian and made copies of the school papers that recorded his athletic career. They put it all in a scrapbook and presented it on Christmas Eve. We heard many stories that we had never heard. It was a gift worth seeking.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God is seeking after us as well. The gift of the Christ child is for the “holy people,” “the redeemed of the Lord” for whom God has been seeking with diligence.

Sarah Shelton

Pray

Seek after me, O Lord, even as I seek after you. Amen.

Go

Go now into the midst of busyness and hurry.
But carry with you these moments of still and quiet.

You are better prepared now than you were even moments ago
For the day that lies ahead.

And God has prepared good gifts in the midst of the hours
For you to know and cherish.