THE POINT IS . . . What Are You Looking For This Christmas?

      In Luke 2, we meet an elderly saint named Simeon. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah (Luke 2:26). Luke described Simeon as “waiting” for the Messiah to arrive (Luke 2:25). The term “waiting” signifies “looking with intensity” or a “diligent search.” This elderly saint was “searching diligently” for the coming Messiah — the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, “One day, as he worshipped in the Temple, Simeon saw the Messiah just as God told him he would…” (Luke 2:25-32). Simeon found Jesus because he was looking for Him.

      In the Christmas story, we also read that the angels told the shepherds, “You’ll find the baby... lying in a manger," and the shepherds replied, “Let’s go and see!” (Luke 2:12, 15). The shepherds found Jesus because they were looking for Him (Luke 2:8-20).

      Finally, in the Christmas story, we read about the Wise Men who followed a star from the East and traveled to Jerusalem (Matt. 2:1-12). Upon entering the city, the Wise Men asked King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? ... (we) have come to worship Him” (Matt. 2:1,2). The Wise Men found Jesus because they, too, were looking for Him.

      Moses urged the children of Israel in the Wilderness with these words: “But if… you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut. 4:29; Jer. 29:13). According to Moses, anyone who searches for the Lord with their whole being will find Him.

      One of the world’s largest diamonds was discovered in South Africa. The mining company was then tasked with safely shipping the diamond to the headquarters in London, England. To ensure the diamond's safe arrival in London, the manager of the South African mine hired four security guards to transport it in a steel box. When the steel box was opened in London, much to everyone’s surprise, there was no diamond — only a large lump of coal.

      Three days later, a battered cardboard box arrived at the home office via parcel post. When the box was opened, the diamond was inside. The manager of the South African diamond mine believed that everyone would notice four security guards carrying a steel box, but no one would pay attention to an ordinary box.

   Two thousand years ago, God arrived on Earth wrapped in an ordinary box. Many people overlooked the Savior because they were expecting someone else — a warrior, a king, a priest, etc.

   Now let me ask you: “What will you find this Christmas?” I’ll tell you what you’re going to find — you’ll find what you’re looking for. We all do!