Saturday, January 5, 2008
Do you remember what it’s like to play “hide-and-go-seek”? Do you remember how it feels to be hiding? At first your heart is pounding as you hear the seeker finish counting and begin searching. Then you hear the sounds of running feet and yelling as someone else’s hiding place is discovered. But after a while, if you’ve hidden well, you start to get bored. You almost want to reveal yourself so that you can get in on the running and excitement. Finally, when the searcher has given up hope of finding you, you hear him yell something like, “all in free!” You’re the last one to come in – but you’re the winner. You’re home safe.
The poor Wise Men have sometimes been the object of low humor. People have made jokes about getting lost, about their camels, about their gifts, and especially about their coming late to Jesus’ birth. Like a lonely last package that wasn’t mailed in time for Christmas, they come straggling in. And yet, they are the winners.
God’s own people waited … grew impatient … and often ran off after other gods and false promises. Even those who were there with Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem did not all recognize what God had given them. But these strangers from far away, even though they are late, have seen from far away what many people were unable to see up close.
God’s Son, the Savior, came for people who were waiting for Him. But He also came for those, like ourselves, who were far away. We are all in free.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for including me in Your promise. I was not the quickest or the best, but You have loved me just as much. Amen.
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