I remember waking up thinking, "Surely it is time to get up now." It was still dark outside and the house was still quiet, but to an eight year old on Christmas that means nothing. Not only was it not time to get up, I had only been in bed for a few hours. This was repeated two or three more times until finally the sun was up and it was time. The big day had come. I ran out to where the tree was, and sure enough there were presents everywhere. Christmas had come at last.
On this Christmas Eve, we should have the same excitement as that eight year old. We should awaken tomorrow morning wide eyed with wonder, Christmas has come! The Christ child is here! The greatest gift of all time has been given to us.
I pray all of you have a Merry Christmas this year. I have enjoyed having this outlet so far, and I am looking forward to what the upcoming year has in store. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings.
Mike Matteson
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Star
With Christmas approaching, I have heard the Christmas story over and over. This year I have been puzzling over something. Why was it only the wise men? It should have been the whole of Israel.
Why these men from the East? Who were they? These men were scholars. They were studied in all of the religions of the region, but they weren't Hebrews. They weren't Hebrews, but they were familiar enough with the Hebrew scriptures to recognize the bright, new star to be one of the signs of the birth of the Savior. They did more than notice the sign, they realized that this was something special. Special enough to rearrange the heavens. They knew they must go see this thing that had happened.
This isn't the part that puzzles me. What puzzles me isn't so much that the wise men recognized this heavenly event. After all that was their job. No, what puzzles me is why they were the only ones to recognize what was happening? Why weren't the Hebrew scholars investigating this star? If the Eastern scholars knew the scriptures well enough to recognize the sign, surely the priests would too. Surely the star was visible throughout the whole country of Israel. There should have been Hebrew priests kneeling before the Christ child. Where were they? Why didn't they see the signs?
Maybe they weren't looking. Perhaps they had become comfortable with their lives. Maybe they weren't really looking for the Savior as diligently as their title demands. Maybe they felt they didn't need a savior. Maybe they thought the scriptures were speaking metaphorically, that the savior lies within each of us, or none of us, or... who knows? Probably, they were a lot like us. So busy, so preoccupied with the season and just plain living that we miss an event so big, God rearranged the stars.
Some time this Christmas season, take the time to follow the star and kneel beside those wise men of old before the Christ child.
Why these men from the East? Who were they? These men were scholars. They were studied in all of the religions of the region, but they weren't Hebrews. They weren't Hebrews, but they were familiar enough with the Hebrew scriptures to recognize the bright, new star to be one of the signs of the birth of the Savior. They did more than notice the sign, they realized that this was something special. Special enough to rearrange the heavens. They knew they must go see this thing that had happened.
This isn't the part that puzzles me. What puzzles me isn't so much that the wise men recognized this heavenly event. After all that was their job. No, what puzzles me is why they were the only ones to recognize what was happening? Why weren't the Hebrew scholars investigating this star? If the Eastern scholars knew the scriptures well enough to recognize the sign, surely the priests would too. Surely the star was visible throughout the whole country of Israel. There should have been Hebrew priests kneeling before the Christ child. Where were they? Why didn't they see the signs?
Maybe they weren't looking. Perhaps they had become comfortable with their lives. Maybe they weren't really looking for the Savior as diligently as their title demands. Maybe they felt they didn't need a savior. Maybe they thought the scriptures were speaking metaphorically, that the savior lies within each of us, or none of us, or... who knows? Probably, they were a lot like us. So busy, so preoccupied with the season and just plain living that we miss an event so big, God rearranged the stars.
Some time this Christmas season, take the time to follow the star and kneel beside those wise men of old before the Christ child.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Do You Hear What I Hear?
It starts in October when the first decorations go up in the stores. Come Thanksgiving there is Christmas music on the radio and playing in the malls. The malls are packed with shoppers rushing from store to store trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list. Tensions rise, tempers flare, fights even break out. Suicide rates and credit card balances go up. Is this Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year?
If you find yourself somewhere in that last paragraph, stop and listen. Listen hard. Do you hear it? No? Listen again. There it is,the cry of a baby, a baby born 2000 years ago. A baby born in a stable. You may hear it in the voice of a teenage clerk telling you to have a good day and actually meaning it. It maybe in the ringing of the Salvation Army bells, it may be in a child's giggles.
If you listen hard, you will find that Christmas is still there beneath all of the rushing and glitter. When you find it, share it with those around you. The small cry of a baby born 2000 years ago can still be heard above the din if you will only stop and listen for it. In the words of the Psalms, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10a)
If you find yourself somewhere in that last paragraph, stop and listen. Listen hard. Do you hear it? No? Listen again. There it is,the cry of a baby, a baby born 2000 years ago. A baby born in a stable. You may hear it in the voice of a teenage clerk telling you to have a good day and actually meaning it. It maybe in the ringing of the Salvation Army bells, it may be in a child's giggles.
If you listen hard, you will find that Christmas is still there beneath all of the rushing and glitter. When you find it, share it with those around you. The small cry of a baby born 2000 years ago can still be heard above the din if you will only stop and listen for it. In the words of the Psalms, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10a)
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