Dr. Fr. Davis George
In life sometimes we miss golden opportunities. We had a
chance to accomplish something great, discover possibilities and unleash our
potential but we lost. Sometimes we miss people visiting us because we were not
at home or busy with something else. God made plans to visit the earth and save
human kind from sin and death; loneliness and meaninglessness; from depression
and dejection; from tension and anxiety. He announced his definite plans through
the prophets’ centuries before the birth of the Saviour. And in the fullness of
time the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God so loved this world that he
sent his only son. (Jn 3:16). But many missed him while he was just
around the place.
1. Jesus was at the door step of the innkeeper but he
missed him.
It is very strange that God wanted to have a place for him to be born and there was no one to give him a place to be born. Mary and Joseph came to the inn. But unfortunately, the inn keeper was busy and had no time to attend to the couple who wanted a little room to give birth to their son. The Bible says, “She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:7) What an opportunity that inn keeper missed! If only he had given them a room he would have been remembered all through the centuries. He missed the visitation of God because he was busy and preoccupied with many things. Modern man is also busy with many unproductive and self centered activities because of which he has no time to welcome the Saviour.
2. Jesus was in Herod’s own country but he had missed him.
It is very strange that God wanted to have a place for him to be born and there was no one to give him a place to be born. Mary and Joseph came to the inn. But unfortunately, the inn keeper was busy and had no time to attend to the couple who wanted a little room to give birth to their son. The Bible says, “She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:7) What an opportunity that inn keeper missed! If only he had given them a room he would have been remembered all through the centuries. He missed the visitation of God because he was busy and preoccupied with many things. Modern man is also busy with many unproductive and self centered activities because of which he has no time to welcome the Saviour.
2. Jesus was in Herod’s own country but he had missed him.
The second person who missed Jesus was Herod. Jesus was born
during his reign as the King. The three wise men from the East came looking for
the new born king of the Jews and reached Herod’s palace. Instead of rejoicing
and welcoming the new born king, Herod was intimidated and overcome by
jealousy; and his insecurity killed all innocent male new born of his
time. Though God saved his son by sending them to Egypt, Herod lost the
chance to recognize the visitation of Jesus. We too can miss the visitation of
Jesus if we are jealous and envious of others; if we are not honest and humble
enough to recognize him in the manger.
3. The chief priests and the scribes knew where Jesus would be born but did not meet him.
3. The chief priests and the scribes knew where Jesus would be born but did not meet him.
When consulted by Herod they told that Jesus would be born
in Bethlehem as foretold
by prophet Micah 700 years before the birth of Christ. The three
wise men travelling almost 1500 km got the exact information and location about
the new born king and went ahead in their journey. Though Bethlehem was
only 8 km away from Jerusalem the chief priests and the scribes missed the
visitation of God because of their indifference and unwillingness to leave
their comfort zone. Often we too are indifferent and don’t want to leave our
belief system and comfort zone because of which we miss the visitation of God
in our lives.
4. The three wise men from distant land did not miss Jesus.
The group that did not miss the visitation of God is the three wise men from the East who were interested in finding out where the king of the Jews was born. Seeing the unusual star they set out on a long journey through unknown land and difficult terrains and reached the palace of the king Herod in Jerusalem. They were guided to Bethlehem where they saw the child; and offered him gifts and fell prostrate and worshiped him. How true of what Jeremiah said, “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with your whole heart.” (Jer 29:13) Often we miss the visitation of God because we do not take interest and trouble to pursue our goal.
4. The three wise men from distant land did not miss Jesus.
The group that did not miss the visitation of God is the three wise men from the East who were interested in finding out where the king of the Jews was born. Seeing the unusual star they set out on a long journey through unknown land and difficult terrains and reached the palace of the king Herod in Jerusalem. They were guided to Bethlehem where they saw the child; and offered him gifts and fell prostrate and worshiped him. How true of what Jeremiah said, “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with your whole heart.” (Jer 29:13) Often we miss the visitation of God because we do not take interest and trouble to pursue our goal.
5. The Shepherds never missed Jesus.
God chose poor homeless and illiterate group of people to give the good news. As it is written in the Bible, “And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord appeared to them …Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:8-20 When we follow the intervention and instruction of God we encounter the visitation of God in most unexpected situations. We need to be humble and attentive to God speaking to us.
He came to his own, his own received him not; but to all who received him he gave them the power to become children of God. (Jn 1:11) Don’t miss the visitation of God during this Christmas. He is standing and knocking at the door of your heart to be born in you; to transform your life; to save you from anxiety and fear; tension and depression; sin and sickness; lead you into life filled with love, joy and peace.
God chose poor homeless and illiterate group of people to give the good news. As it is written in the Bible, “And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord appeared to them …Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:8-20 When we follow the intervention and instruction of God we encounter the visitation of God in most unexpected situations. We need to be humble and attentive to God speaking to us.
He came to his own, his own received him not; but to all who received him he gave them the power to become children of God. (Jn 1:11) Don’t miss the visitation of God during this Christmas. He is standing and knocking at the door of your heart to be born in you; to transform your life; to save you from anxiety and fear; tension and depression; sin and sickness; lead you into life filled with love, joy and peace.
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