Two Questions Framing Christmas

This time of year is beautiful with all its complexities and layers of joy and busyness and reflectiveness. It always makes me think more about the story of Jesus’ birth and all the hidden gems of truth in Scripture. 

This year we are traveling but this time out West…just our little family and lots of time, nature hikes and conversations. It’s been full of beautiful moments reflecting on the year, making memories and recharging from a year of ministry. 

Another thing we’ve done this year differently is read an advent book each night with our kids. Some of it is over their young toddler heads right now, but it’s even good for us grown ups to be reminded of this season and why we are celebrating. 

At the beginning of advent, one of the days really stuck a chord with me. One of those “aha” moments personally. Sometimes I’m not sure why a certain thing hits me between the eyes like it does, but here we are. It was this:

First question in the Old Testament is “Where are you?” 

First question in the New Testament is “Where is He?”

First question in Genesis- “Where are you?” The question God asked Adam and Eve after they had sinned and hidden from Him. This is the very question in the history of the world that exposed humanity’s need. The problem with our hearts. Our sin issue. The sickness that would eventually claim every life on the planet. 

The Old Testament would chronicle humanity and it’s glaring, obvious need for redemption. Kingdoms would rise and fall. People would sin:  kill, steal, lie and cheat, amongst other things. The need for a cure is written clearly in the pages of Scripture. 

Then…four hundred years of silence. 

Silence from heaven. Four hundred years of crying out for help but not hearing answers. Think of that. That kind of silence must have felt deafening. Not a word from the God of the universe. Four hundred years of nothingness. Pure black sickness of our sinful hearts and still no cure. 

Then the New Testament opens suddenly, and the first question is “Where is He born king of the Jews for we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Where is HE? The question from the wisemen seeking the Christ child reveals the answer to the sin issue in our world. The question that doubtless had been asked for centuries but this time, a Savior was being born. The Cure. The Rescuer. Jesus. Hope of the World. 

First question of the Old Testament pulls back the curtains of our hearts and shows our NEED for Jesus to redeem. 

The first question of the New Testament reveals Jesus Himself. The ANSWER to our greatest need. 

Two questions framing Christmas. 

Where are you? Where is He?

Where are you? Do you see your need for Him? His saving isn’t just for salvation from hell and eternal destruction…although that’s not a bad reason to choose Him! He’s also your Savior from unforgiveness towards others, from depression, from snarky words to your co-workers, from your selfishness, from your addition to porn and from your anger issues. He is your cure for being unlovely, being hard to be around and from blaming others constantly for your sin patterns. He is your redemption from unfaithfulness in your marriage and from your bad parenting techniques. He is the answer to all your hopeless feelings, fears and loneliness. He is yours. Your personal Savior for ALL your problems. For all the moments you feel like a holy hot mess. 

Where is He?  Have you made room for Him? At the center or just as an addition to your already full schedule? Does He occupy every part of you, or just the leftovers? Does He mean more to you than money, fame, position, social status and a good reputation? Is He really your everything? 

I’m often convicted this time of year when I think about the wisemen. Leaving everything they knew. Their countries. Their families. Their jobs. Traveling to a far away land to find a Baby they had never seen before. Giving of their years of hard work and sacrifice…gifts to a child born of peasant parents. I wonder how many people called them crazy for risking everything like they did. For giving their ALL: status, savings, job, social positions, money and probably some relationships to follow this Jesus star. They weren’t guaranteed to find Him. But they still risk everything for the opportunity. 

And yet now we know. They were wise. They were wise men. And wise men still seek the King of Kings. Not just for a once-and-done type of relationship, but for the kind that changes the way you see the world. With eyes of compassion, hope and redeeming power. If we are wise, we risk our everything for Him too. 

These are the things I’m thinking about this starry night in Utah. 

Where are you?

Where is He?

The two questions framing Christmas.