Blessed Christmas Day

It’s Christmas Day.

In the midst of shopping, food, beautiful decorations, family traditions, gifts and all the holiday fun, it’s almost too easy to let the Christ of Christmas “slip through the cracks”.

The Christ of Christmas who is the reason for this day.

The Christ of Christmas, my precious Lord Jesus.

The Christ of Christmas who came down from glory to live in miry dust.

The biggest Gift wrapped in humility and goes so easily unnoticed.

The Christ of Christmas Day.

***

Last Sunday, Pastor Colin quoted Donald Macleod who said, “There was a unique bond between the Father and the Son arising from the fact that the Son was uniquely lovable and the Father was uniquely affectionate. God could not have made a greater sacrifice. His love is astonishing precisely because at this point He put the world before His Son. The statement ‘God gave the world for His Son’ would evoke no wonder, but ‘God gave His Son for the world,’ borders on the incredible”…

And Pastor Colin went on to elaborate – So look at this love of Christ! God so loved you that he gave his only Son for you. Here is the Father face-to-face with the Son he loves. He did not give up you for his Son. He gave up his Son for you.

Thank you God for giving up Your Son for me. I don’t know how You do it, but You did so that I can be like Jesus and call You Father. Thank You.

***

My new song for this Christmas – The Shepherd’s Lamb

A stable bare,
a starlit sky,
and under Heaven’s watchful eye
a miracle in manger lay,
the Lamb of God upon a bed of hay.

The first news of this glorious birth
was told to those of little worth,
who left their flocks,
as angels said,
to find the Lamb of God in manger bed.

The shepherds paused at stable door,
looked on the Lamb and in Him saw
their own Good Shepherd, born a Lamb,
themselves the flock within the Shepherd’s hand.

With shepherds gaze in wonder on
the mystery of Heaven’s plan:
The Shepherd, born to live with us,
is born to die for us, the shepherds’ Lamb.

It's a boy!

We found out today that we're having a boy!
There is a feeling of unsettledness in midst of the joy.
And i know that's precisely why
God has given to us this little guy.

A reminder to trust Him more than we think we need,
Holding tightly to His hand in this unfamiliar terrain.
"What will I do with a boy? How will I raise a man?"
(Not that we have the answers for Mya)
We'll try to follow and rest, as He unfolds His plan!

A few days back i thought, God knows who we need.
Prayed, for me to not have a will and Yours be done.

And so here's this little boy, His gift!

Already driving me to my knees. 

We love you little buddy,

And can't wait to hold and cuddle you tightly,

To laugh and weep ourselves silly,

For you are given and knitted, 

By our most wonderful Daddy.

Mya’s and my log

It has been a long silence and I apologize for that! To play catch-up on the time lost, here’s a brief log of my favorite Mya-memories. It might be a little mundane to read, but pardon this mother who is trying so hard to hold onto all the moments for as long as she can. The gems fade away too quickly in time.
And just for fun, i peppered it with some of recent my frivolous movie "out-ings" or should i say "in-tings" or "movie-ay-cation".

Late June

We went to Singapore to visit the family, and play tourists in the sunny island. It was so fun to watch her play at all the water parks, swimming pools and water fountains. It was also great to have help while battling with fatigue and morning sickness.

Mid July

It was our goal to gradually wean Mya over the next few months. It involved much tears, bribes and distraction. But I think she’s getting it. No more middle of the night nursing, and she could just sleep in bed with me without wanting something else. It felt good that she just wanted to be with me, and not for something that she wanted.

Late July

Arthur went away to Colorado last weekend for a French House reunion. What was initially a “I hope I’ll survive the four days with Mya myself” became a special time that I am afraid to forget.  

I loved going to bed beside her every night, and waking up to her tiny face.

I loved spending time with her at breakfast, at lunch and at dinner; at the park, in the store and by the lake. I loved it when she tried to be silly and make me laugh.

She made the four days seem almost too easy, and for that I am thankful – to God, to all the help I got and to her.

I also did a Sandra-Bullock romantic-comedy weekend (whilst "pinning for Arthur". Gotta keep that love tank up. It was fun. Any suggestions for the next "thematic" movie weekend?

Saturday, Aug 1^st

She stood on top of the flight of the steps, and called out “Weixiu!” in her loud voice. It was the first time that she called my name, even though she’s been calling her daddy “Honey” for a while now. She picks up on what we say, she really does!

Saturday, Aug 8^th

Mya fell out of her crib the day before, and that was our sign that she needed to graduate to her big bed. I was also hopeful that this will mark a new season of her sleeping, with the promised land being “sleeping through the night”! So Arthur set up her new den.

She still ended up in the bed with us for that night, because Arthur brought her in. He could not bear for another milestone to be over so soon.

Sunday, Aug 9^th Singapore National Day

She slept in her bed all by herself till the morning! It has not happened consistently yet, but there is hope! And she ate the Singaporean curry chicken. You go girl! I love your wide palate, and let’s keep that growing!

Saturday, Aug 15^th

Something that Mya loves saying these days is “I love it! I love it! I love it!” And at some point today, her “I love it” became “I love you” – mummy! I could not squeeze her hard enough.  

We gave her some Kahlua vanilla ice-cream shake in the evening, and she could not get enough of it. It was so funny and her delightful “I love it!” made it hard to resist giving her the next mouthful.  

Don’t report us for starting her so early! It was pretty mild and very delicious. Even I could not get enough of it.

It’s funny, I was watching the movie “Words and Pictures” last night. Here I am, trying to use words to describe these pictures in my mind.

If I could capture everything on reel all the time and be able to watch them over and over again, it might be enough. But as it is, words are all I have to help me etch these memories forever in this space. 

Oh and about movies... did i mention that I finally watched Austenland, and LOVED it, and am having a little JJ Feild fan-crush? Could Mr Nobley really replace Mr Darcy? Maybe it's time for me to watch Pride and Prejudice again. 

A.D The Bible continues

I’ve started watching A.D The Bible continues. I’m sure the show took much creative liberties. But it definitely stirred things in me that I’ve not felt before, reading the Bible all these years.

In the first 2 episodes, which were centered around the disciples’ response to Jesus’ crucifixion and ascension, it struck me anew just how terrified the disciples were. Especially after Jesus’ death, they were fearful for their own lives – not to mention the state of confusion, hopelessness and grief they were in. Claims that they would have stolen Jesus’ body could not be more incredulous. How could anyone even believe that?

In painting the broader picture that sometimes in not immediately obvious from the Bible if one does not have a too fertile imagination, the show is causing me to spend a little more time thinking about the physical context when I read the Bible now.

The show needs a villain, or should I say villains. Any sympathy that I had for Pilate was completely decimated by the show. I don’t know much about Pilate’s life, aside from what is in the Bible; and I’ve often sympathized with the spineless coward. He was a victim of the wicked mob.

But how the show filled in the blanks about his character, political agenda and role after Jesus’ death to cover up His resurrection, made me think that my sympathy was misplaced. He was evil, and deserved to be remembered as the one whom Jesus suffered under every time the church recites the Apostle’s creed.

Last but not least, well, I’ve been dragging my feet to watch the last 2-3 episodes. Mainly because it is so violent (disclaimer: my threshold is pretty low) and it’s causing a real heaviness when I watch it. The last time I watched an episode, I could not bear to finish it in one sitting because it was just too much. Sure, part of it might have been for visual effects and viewership. But there is more than an ounce of truth in all that violence during that time, isn’t there?

All the flogging, beating, throwing into prison, persecution and killing that are recorded in the Bible. It’s not just a word on a page. Blood splattered, flesh split, bones broke, many crucified, people died – horribly. It was violent, terribly and horribly violent.

Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword”. (Matt 10:34) I often forget that the peace that God came to offer between Him and mankind, does not always translate to there being peace on earth.

I need to offer a word of caution to myself, to be careful and not let the visual images from the show sink too deeply and unhelpfully color how I read the Bible in the future. But may God help me and everyone watching the show, know Him better, love Him more and know the costs that were paid for us to have the Gospel today.  

Sad about bags

My stash of “pretty” paper bags were recently disposed of by Arthur, without my knowledge. He did not think we would be having a conversation about it. But he’s wrong.

I was/am upset about it, but not THAT upset.

Upset enough to stop him in his tracks and demand a conversation when I discovered the “horrific truth”.

Upset enough to not share his amusement nor appreciate his attempts at being “cute”. And I still do not see the humor in the situation.

Upset enough that I could not talk to him for an hour, and possibly gave me the energy to do my first 30 minutes run in 2 years.

Upset enough that I am on the verge of an online shopping spree just to make me feel better.

Upset enough to make him promise to not throw away any of my things without checking with me in the future.

• I did not know I need to explicitly state that “respecting each other” also meant we do not throw each other’s things away.
• It’s not a fair comparison, but his actions reminded me of a certain uncle who likes to throw his wife’s things away, including food in the pantry that is perfectly good. Needless to say, that uncle is somewhere up there in the “crazy people in my life” list.

Not that upset because, I know in the big scheme of things, this does not really matter. It’s actually a little frivolous because they are but a stack of shopping and gift paper bags. 
Not that upset because I would be fine without them, eventually.

Not that upset because I am actually able to look at myself from the outside and not go too crazy with the conversations in my head.
Not that upset because i don't think i'll start hiding what things in my closet to "keep them safe".

But still upset because he trivialized what was important to me.

Upset because we’ve had those conversations before, and he’s thrown many of them away over time, and yet, something possessed him to to get rid of the entire stash in the closet.

Upset because well.. who throws someone else’s things away without even asking?!

And upset because my Mother’s Day post is hijacked by this need to get this off my chest.

So in loving memory of my paper bags, and for the safety of my future stash...

I kept/keep them because I like them.

I kept/keep them because I use them. They serve a purpose and they are not trash. Not every day but often enough – I went through them just last month! And I would humbly submit that I get to them more often than some books on our shelves! Which I have no idea when either of us would ever touch them.

I kept/keep them because they are useful. When I need to put Mya’s clothes away, when I need to give things away to people (it’s better than a flimsy Jewel plastic bag!), when I need to haul all the Christmas presents into the car. They are as useful to me as the zip-lock bags we have, just for different size things.

Oh and for the record. I could replace the books if they ever got accidentally treated as trash. And I could buy zip-lock bags easily if someone ever felt compelled to throw the perfectly good boxes we have in the drawer away.

But the shopping bags, one could not even buy them. And even if you asked at the stores, they might not even if them to you.

And the gift bags, there is usually a face or an occasion behind each one of them. Or a the very least, a sentiment. They came to me at Mya’s baby shower, for Christmas, .. And they had the potential to carry my joy to the next owner.

RIP my paper bags. I am sorry you were taken from me and we had to part ways without a goodbye. 

Random pickings from Mya’s little life

Guess what Mya’s favorite vegetable is these days. “Raaadish, raadish, radish!” And like any "typical Asian" kiddo, seaweed is a close second.

What was an attempt to use up the Daikon radish in the fridge, became a huge win with Mya. I simply boiled the radish with carrots in a chicken, pork and canpoy stock. I would say it’s delicious though Arthur would probably beg to differ. Thankfully, Mya agreed with me. It was a “small price to pay” for me to share the soup with her, as I was on cloud nine with her getting closer to fulfilling her vegetable quota for the day.

As for seaweed, she likes it on its own, she likes it on her porridge. She likes the big sheets as well as the little crumbles. "Sweed? seweed? Seaweed? Please?"

***

I was told it was going to happen, and it finally did. Twice now. Mya fell down on her face, bruised her upper lip and sustained some loss of blood. Thankfully I only got to see the swollen lip and dried blood after the fact, and she healed pretty quickly both times. Still, there was a little aching in my heart to see her “injury” and know that this will not be the last time she’ll be hurt and I will not be able to protect from the pain in this life.

Love ran red... at the Cross

Thank You Jesus for giving Your life for us - that we may now live and get into heaven when we die. And thank You thank You for being alive! I love You.

Up, please!

We’re trying to teach Mya “please” and “thank you” these days. It’s been a progression from teaching her to raise her hands in the air, to say “up!” and now to suffix a “please” when she wants to be picked up. She’s caught on but not without a few weeks of resistance. Oh child, if only you knew the power of these magic words!

“Up please!”

“Ok Mya!” And she’s elevated off the ground into our arms.

I’ve forgotten the beauty of this seemingly mundane action until I was reminded by Tenth Avenue North at a concert recently.

**

Arthur, Min and I went to the Chris Tomlin and Tenth Avenue North concert at Willow Creek on Friday night. It was our first outing without Mya in the last few months, thanks to Gina for baby-sitting. Even though I was a sick puppy, my soul was well nourished; and I left a bigger fan of these brothers in Christ than I was entering.

It was good and necessary to be reminded of God’s majesty, splendor, greatness, love and grace. How easily the human mind forgets – 

the God of angel armies is for us and who shall be against us; 

His hands that hold the stars also hold our weak feeble hearts; 

the staggering grace when His love ran red so our sins can be washed white; and that 

He loves us, He loves us, He loves us.

These are truths I know in my head, and have somehow made small overtime in my heart. God knew what I needed to be shaken out of my bird brain and chicken heart.

Back to the subject at hand, Tenth Avenue North had us raise our hands during one of their songs. Mike said (something to this effect), “We’re not raising our hands to show off or anything. We’re raising our hands because this is what a child does when he/she wants to be picked up by his/her father.”

Yes Heavenly Daddy, Up please!

**

May I not forget that I am that little child wanting and needing to be picked up by my Heavenly Father, each time I see Mya’s eyes looking up expectantly at me.

May I know the tenderness that God has for me, that is a million times more than what I feel towards Mya in my best moment. And at my worst, let me not take for granted Mya’s dependence and affection, and always treasure this beauty that will not last forever.

May I always be that little child being dependent on the Father, coming to Jesus and living in the Spirit always. God, up please!

Up please!

Goodbye my friend

I’ve putting off this blog post for some time. Because it is hard to believe that he is gone. I am jealous of the memories that we shared and had, and it is almost as if I’m giving a piece of me to share them with another…

My friendship with Jung-Min started almost a decade ago, in the summer of 2006. We were both sent to Beijing by Thomson Reuters to set up the data operations center there, alongside many others. It was a unique season.

In our first weekend there, we explored the ancient city together. I remember sizing up this big Korean guy and wondered if he was “any good”.

To my delight, I found that he liked to eat and talk, did not mind me getting us lost and was married. I knew then that this friend was a keeper.

Plus, he was really easy to please. For him, ordinary food tasted great, great cuisine tasted “ this is AMAZING!” and amazing delicacies were “this is AWESOME!” Food always tasted better around him. Even 10 years later, he still talked about the noodles we had for our very first hotpot together. He is such sentimental person who takes great delight in simple things.

Living in the same service apartment, taking cabs to and from work, working out and hanging out with Min and Erin daily was good fun. There is never a shortage of good stories from him and with him.

Very early on, Min made it his mission to chaperone my love life. He would often ask “Do you have a boyfriend?” I would always say “no” and he would look like a sad puppy. And then he would ask again a few days later. I guess things tend to happen fast with him.  

Finally, one day I said to him, “maybe.. would you like to vet him for me?” He looked like he hit the jackpot. And of course the rest is history.

Some might have questioned my wisdom in asking Min, coz he’s not the most disagreeable person. But I knew he loved me as a friend. That’s enough, and he clearly did right by me. J  

Min was so generous with us. Be it over-ordering at every meal, paying for many expensive meals (Peter Luger, Trump Towers, Carmichael steak, Korean), treating our families even when we were not there sometimes (in Beijing, New Jersey and Chicago), buying us our first grill and keurig, etc. We all created so many fun memories together.. Even Medieval times!

Working alongside him in TR and Morningstar over the last 10 years was great. He was my best friend at work. I’ve not had one before him, and I’m not sure I will have another one after him, and I don’t know if I ever want another.

We were confidantes, honest with each other, always wanting the best for each other, always having each other’s back. He was my advocate during the early turbulent months of transition to M*, and taught me how precious it is that Jesus is my advocate.

He was also a wild card and it’s hard to predict what would come out of his mouth. I affectionately say, “he asked the most inappropriate questions” and say the “darnest things”.

He had this positive energy that was infectious, and everything was a “can-do-it” with him, no matter how difficult the task at hand was, even when he was fighting his epic battle with MDS.

Another precious yet difficult memory is reading “Reason for God” with and talking to him about faith over lunches. It was hard for a “good person like him” to believe that God will not allow him to heaven, or his “all-inclusive attitude” to accept that that there is only one straight and narrow path.

It is heartbreaking to know that though he understood the Gospel, he could not accept it; and that meant that there will always be a division between us when it came down to what mattered most.

He welcomed and found comfort in our prayers, when we processed the difficult news about his health over the last 2 years. I pray pray pray hard that somehow Jesus got through to him during those times. That in the deepest place of his heart, even when he could not longer speak, he had cried out to Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior. Please Jesus, please?

I heard this song for the first time in church today. I’m not able to share the hope in this song with him when he was alive, I just hope that somehow, this is true for him in eternity. This might be another song I’d like for my funeral some day…

I miss you Min, very very very much. I love you, dear friend. Goodbye…

2015 Resolutions/ Hopes

Arthur asked me over dinner if I'd have resolutions this year.

I told him, there are reasons why i stopped having resolutions for many years. Maybe it's the unconscious fear of failure, the chill of being held up to a checklist, the fatigue of having to try to accomplish something, the reluctance to jump on the bandwagon, ... Oh, so many reasons, so many excuses. None good enough to say stop trying though.

So, ok.. Here are my new year resolutions or rather hopes.

1. Connect with God intentionally every day
2. Exercise regularly – at least once a week
3. Date Night monthly
4. Take Lent seriously
5. Read 3 non-marriage books
6. Stick to the budget
7. Work on discipline and self-control
8. Experience something new
9. Serve/Volunteer for something
10. Watch a movie I’ve always wanted to watch
11. Keep a diary – at least one memory a day, blog monthly
12. Be pregnant by the end of the year

Even if I accomplish nothing, i have something to look back to at the end of the year, and know what the thoughts of me now. 

Happy New Year!

Signing off 2014

What a year! I’m not one who is much for new year resolutions or wish lists, but as I stand at the end of the year, I do wish a little that I had them, so I can visit the me a year ago, and know what my hopes and thoughts were.

How have I changed? What prayers have been answered? Why did that matter then?

Lest I forget what 2014 was like, I’d like to close out the year with the top 10 memories/ groups of significant moments, in no particular order.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago” ~ Psalm 77:11

1. Graduation and Work for Arthur at the Orchard Network – We’ve been really blessed by Arthur’s role at the Orchard Network, especially all the time he got to spend with Hutz and Pastor Colin. This “new norm” has been so life-giving, especially if we contrast this to Arthur’s work before Trinity.

I have not taken enough time to relish how big of an answered prayer this is. This time last year, we weren’t sure where we were gonna go after Trinity (back to Singapore, go to China or stay in Chicago) and what we’re gonna do (pastor, be a missionary, etc.). All the uncertainty and the fog in front. He led us as He always did. And He did. Now if my heart can rest a little more on this as we contemplate the next 3-5 years.

2. New House and new car – New possessions and all that they bring. There’s much to be thankful for all that we’ve been able to enjoy. But I need to remember to hold them loosely for it’s the Lord’s to give and the Lord’s to take away. He made this house happen, He fulfilled a wistful dream of mine with the car – oh God, You spoil us! Now may we always be good and better stewards of what You’ve entrusted. Let us not trust in them nor boast in them, but in You alone.

3. “Relaxed parenting” – I’m definitely “rolling with things” more. Not too much, because I still find myself trying to explain when people ask if Mya is doing this or that (talking, sleeping well, going to swimming classes, etc.). But all in all, I think I’ve got a little more perspective. At least I hope. Thanks to my co-parent, what will I do without him!

Enjoy the cute sounds for they’ll only last until Mya starts talking.

The most important thing for Mya to know from us is that Jesus loves her and we love her, period.

I should compile all the gems that fall out of his mouth. That will make a handy parenting guide some day.

4. Mya’s firsts – oh so many! First rollover, first crawl, first steps, first meaningful sounds, first words, first birthday… This little one has accomplished so much this year. And she’s mine. Wow.

God, nurture her, protect her, let her be Your little tree planted by Your streams of living water. Thank You for her.

5. Gatherings at our place – it’s an honor and such fun to host stay-overs, meals and parties. Thank you to everyone for coming! Family (Dad, Mum, Brittany, Katie Rose, Susan, Katie, Gavin, Stephanie, Jamie, the Aucutts, Daddy), Friends (the Rutters, Andrew, Gayle LIFE Groups,..) I need to use the guest book better!

6. Travels – so much fun to see so many people in different places.

Girlfriends (Begh, Priss, Lynn) and their families in Ottawa, Canda – how we’ve grown since secondary school!

Orlando & Sarasota, Florida. My first “international” business speaking engagement, first trip to the beautiful sunny state, and it was good to spend time with Uncle Steve & meet Aunt Pam’s family.

Shenzhen & Mumbai – Mya did awesome on the Asia whirl tour, and Arthur was a trooper. Plus Daddy crashed our Mumbai trip. Hahahaha.

One day in Munich, Germany. My first real introduction to Europe. Can’t wait to go back!

7. Lizzie – oh Lizzie. Your presence in the family is just so beautiful. You are a symbol of Love, deep theology and miracles. I’m so proud of David and Brittany for adopting Liz.

8. Jung-Min’s health condition – This has been difficult in so many ways. But a stark reminder that good health each day is grace and not a given. God, please let your salvation be upon the family.

9. New position at work – Ups and downs, with a fair share of delight and pain. It’s been quite a journey, and definitely one of God’s key tools to refine me this year. God, I think I’m refined enough already, right? :p I think I know the answer…

10. Christmas devotion – There are people who go to church only on Easter and Christmas. Then , there are people who will only teach/speak/preach God’s Word on Christmas. Ok, that might be dramatizing a little. But I cannot remember another time this year when I explicitly used my teaching gifts to teach God’s Word. Not a track record I am proud of or want to persist; but nevertheless, still a highlight.

I really enjoyed digging into and meditating on His Word over an extended period of time and putting something together to share with others. Thank You God for the joy You’ve given me, for the Baby in the manger this season through Your Word.

This is for you Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Thank you for 2014. And Happy New Year!

1 minute left… Phew!

The Traveller

I missed my November/Thanksgiving post, so i want to make sure that I don't do a repeat for this month. This is the second annual sermon that I did at Sedgebrook (extended version), I had fun doing it with Arthur and i hope it will be as much a blessing to you as it was to me (sorry it's a little long!).

I love doing this because it forces me to be still and contemplate the Reason we are celebrating. It's so easy for the Baby to be lost in the midst of all the Christmas shopping, presents and parties. Happy Birthday Jesus, I am so very very glad You came. Thank YOU!

Matthew 2:1-12

Hello everyone! Merry Christmas! We’re so blessed to be here with all of you.

The scene of the Magi or wise men bringing gifts to Jesus is an all-time favorite for Christmas cards, nativity sets and Christmas songs. It actually happened when Jesus was a toddler, probably two years after he was born in Bethlehem.  But it’s integral to the Christmas Story.  So we’re going to ponder this scene together tonight.

However, we are going to try something a little different. One of Arthur’s and my favorite Christian artists is Michael Card – and he wrote a song based on this passage. I am going to weave that song in as we go through the text.

This story can be divided into three different Acts or scenes. Imagine you are watching a play. After each act, Arthur will come to sing a verse and the chorus from that song. I hope you’ll enjoy this, and eventually as you get familiar with the song, join him in singing!

Let’s begin Act One. Matthew Chapter Two.

Act One – The Magi follows the star

The Scene

1.      The first Act begins in the royal courts of Persia, where the Magi – likely astrologers for the king of Persia, were studying the stars in the night sky.

2.      And on a special night more than two thousand years ago, they saw a star. A star unlike any other, rising and shining so brightly. Somehow they knew, probably from their studies, that this star signified that the King of the Jews had been born.

He was unlike any other kings who came before or after Him. He did not have to conquer or fight to be King. He was born to be, destined to be. He was God’s chosen King

3.      And so, they packed their bags and went to worship Him. There were no airplanes then, and so it was a long trip on camel-back – across deserts and different terrains. They did not know where exactly they were going or how long it would take them.  But they were compelled to go.  Nothing would stop them.

Meditation

4.      Persian wise men, going on a long journey, to worship the king of the Jews. I found this a little baffling. Why would they want to worship the king of the Jews? Didn’t they already have their own king? Who was He to them?

5.      Scripture does not answer these questions specifically.  But we can see that somehow this star and its announcement of the birth of this king – shook them out of their star gazing.  They left their homes, left their comfort zones.  It compelled them to start a journey into the night. Despite the unknowns, they had to find Him.

Song: We will find Him v1

On a day like any other

In our search to find the truth

We turned so many musty pages

In our hope to find some clue

Then the words leapt from the parchment

From Jacob shines a star

That a wordless one who is the word

Will be worth a journey far

CHORUS:

We will find Him

We will find Him

We will follow His star

We will search and we will follow

No matter how far

In castles, through kingdoms

We know where to start

To find the king whose kingdom is the heart

         

Act 2 – The Magi arrives in Jerusalem

The Scene

1.      The next scene is set in the courts of King Herod. The Magi’s journey had brought them to Jerusalem, the capital city of the Jews.

2.      The Magi explained what brought them here. When King Herod the Great and those in Jerusalem heard about that, they were disturbed.

They did not share the Magi’s excitement or desire to worship the One who was born King of the Jews.

3.      The chief priests and teachers of the law remembered the words of the prophet Micah and told both Herod and the Magi that the King is to born in Bethlehem.

Application/ Meditation

4.      Right in this scene, we see three groups of people with three different reactions to the King of the Jews. Three reactions that still exist towards the King of God’s Kingdom today –

a.       The first reaction is Threatened: This reaction is represented by Herod and all who see the Promised King as a threat. As a result of feeling threatened, he rejects and tries to destroy Him.

If that child is the King of the Jews, where would that put Herod?

Herod became so insecure about the potential threat to his kingdom, that he later ordered a massacre of all the little boys under two in Bethlehem and the cities nearby. What a tragedy.

b.      The second reaction is Indifferent – This reaction is represented by the Jews and the teachers of the Law, people who heard the news but are indifferent. They viewed the news of the Promised King as a disturbance and an inconvenience, and ignored Him.

They were supposed to be waiting for the Promised Messiah in the Old Testament, and should have been excited by the possibility of His coming. Yet, they did not even bother to go check it out.

They would rather stick around the oppressive Herod, than to find the King that God promised, who will shepherd them. They did not bother going with the Magi to Bethlehem.

I wonder if the Magi came forth with news of gold tucked in some corner of Bethlehem, how many treasure hunters would volunteer to go with them. Yet, none would go to find the King who is worth more than all the gold in the world?!

c.       The third reaction is Worshipful – This reaction is represented by the Magi, who want to worship the King. They responded to the signs from heaven, ventured out with a worshipful heart, and are eager to find Him. In the next Act, we will see that they are eventually rewarded by finding the One they sought.

5.      Three different groups of people with three different reactions. I want us to ask ourselves today, who do we resemble most? The Bible calls us all sinners – whether we are saved sinners or unsaved sinners, we all have dark hearts within.

Whether or not you have professed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, where are you in your relationship with Him? Or in relation to Him?

Does Jesus pose a threat to your kingdom, your wants and your desires? And you would rather He not exist? Maybe sometimes?

Or Is Jesus an inconvenient disturbance whom you would rather ignore? The annoying nag at you conscience and it will be much easier to be indifferent to His will?

Or are you approaching this Christmas and every day, with a worshipful heart? Seeking Him in all that you say and do?

My dear friends, do not let this season pass you by without an examination of your heart. It is easy to get caught up in all the festivities. But if we are not seeking God and the Baby in the manger in the midst of all that, we have missed the point.

Excursus

6.      Before we move on from this scene, I want to linger a little longer on the prophecy by the prophet Micah – “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel”.

A ruler who will shepherd My people – the Israel that is by faith, also known as the Church today. My people, including us here today, who have faith and obey Jesus Christ our Lord.

7.      Only recently, did I understand a little more what it meant for God to call us His people, when I meditated upon the fact that Mya is my daughter.

I have never been one of those baby-people. You know, those who look at babies and go goo-goo ga-ga? Their eyes light up, and have to carry every baby they meet. I’m sure there are a few of us here today. I was not one of these baby-people, that is, until I had Mya. I goo-goo and I gaa-gaa at her. And I am crazy about this girl.

I asked myself many times, why I was so enamored by the little baby, when all that she did was eat, poop, sleep and cry. I asked myself why I find every sound she makes so cute? Ok not every sound – not when she is throwing a temper tantrum. Even at her worst, I do not love her any less.

I asked myself why she makes my smile wider, the room brighter, and the days more delightful. She is not very different from any other baby, but she captures my heart like no other child does. Why?

I arrived at the conclusion that I am so crazy about Mya is because she is mine. She is my baby, my child, my little girl, the apple of my eye. I claim her as mine. And that draws my heart in a very special way.

8.      So when I hear God say to us that “You are My people” recently, it moved me in a way it never did before. “You are My child”, God says. No matter how old or young you are, God says to you, “You are My little children. You are the apple of My eye. I claim you as Mine, and I love You passionately. I am crazy about you, I want to shepherd you. Even at your worst, in your deepest darkest, I love you. No matter how far away you wander, I will always come for you, just as I did”.

Do you hear Him, friends? How will you respond to your Heavenly Father? 

Song: We will find Him v2

It was a night like any other

So cold and black and dark

And it told us all too clearly

Of the night inside our hearts

Then the star tore through the darkness

And like an angel shore

To guide us to that one true Light

Who became flesh and bone

CHORUS:

We will find Him

We will find Him

We will follow His star

We will search and we will follow

No matter how far

In castles, through kingdoms

We know where to start

To find the king whose kingdom is the heart

Act 3

The Scene

1.      In this final Act, we come to the end of the Magi’s journey. The Magi followed the star and found Jesus in Bethlehem. They were exhilarated when they found WHO they were looking for. Joy was overflowing out of them, they were overjoyed.

2.      They bowed down and worshipped Him and presented Him with gifts. Imagine three elderly wise men, bowing down to a toddler and worshipping Him. What a counter-cultural sight that must have been!

·         The fact that they were in the small little town of Bethlehem, in what would likely have been a simple inconspicuous  house, and standing face to face with an ordinary looking toddler. According to Isaiah 53, He has no beauty or majesty to attach people to Him, nothing in Hisi appearance that would cause others to desire Him. Nothing is screaming “King!”

·         Yet, despite the outrageously humble appearances, they knew who they are looking at, and were willing to humble themselves even more.

·         They knew what the stars in the heaven declared, so they acted in faith, and bowed down and worshipped Jesus.

3.      They also presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that they had brought with them from afar. These were common gifts to kings in the ancient world. But they also carried a spiritual significance for Jesus.

·         Gold is a precious metal that represents Jesus’ Kingship. He is God’s chosen ruler, who is our Shepherd King.

·         Frankincense is a type of perfume or incense. That is a symbol of Jesus’ role as our High Priest, mediating between us sinful humans and our holy God.

·         Myrrh foreshadows His death as Nicodemus wrapped His broken body in myrrh and linen after He gave up His life for us on the cross.

Application/ Meditation

4.      There is great rejoicing in the successful outcome of the Magi’s quest. They travelled all the way from Persia to Bethlehem to find the King of the Jews. Despite a risky episode at king Herod’s, they still got to where they needed to be, and found who they wanted to find. They worshipped Him and accomplished what they had set out to do. What a great successful end to this story.

5.      But friends, you know what. There is an even greater quest in this story and a greater rejoicing than that of the Magi.

a.       The Magi were not the only ones who travelled, endured and found.

b.      Jesus, the Baby in the manger, made an even longer trip from heaven to earth. A more difficult trip from being infinite to being confined to a human body, and a more costly trip by being away from the Father’s side.

c.       He endured threats and persecution from people whom He came to save, He pursued those who were indifferent, He gives Himself to those who will worship Him.

d.      By His birth and death, He came to find the lost sheep of Israel, the lost children of the Father’s. And by becoming the sacrifice to atone for our sins, He gave us the best gift anyone would need – a restored relationship with a holy God, and a loving Heavenly Father.

e.       The Magi went after a King, One who is worthy of pursuit. And Jesus, He went after the broken sinners, worthless enemies of God; to make us worthy again.

  

6.      This story might be about the Magi finding Jesus, but the bigger story in Christmas is about God finding us, God finding you and me. That out of His love, He did everything He could to find us and save us, so that we can be home with Him.

7.      So friends, no matter where you are with Jesus at this point. Whether, you feel threatened by Him or indifferent to Him, take time to examine your heart and repent.

He is the One who has the rightful throne to God’s Kingdom and is the Only Lord of all; relinquish your control to Him. There is no winning for you at the end, He is the reigning King.

He came down from heaven to earth for you, and is knocking on the door of your heart, don’t ignore Him. Let Him reign in your heart.

And for those who believe and trust in Him, rejoice in the fact that He has found you and worship Him and continue to let Him reign in your life!

Song: We will find Him Bridge

We have found Him

We have found Him

We have seen the true Light

What was darkness

What was shadow

In His presence is delight

This One born so lowly the heavens declare

Will someday reign without a rival there

He stilled our secret syllables

And hushed our wisest words

In the silence of the stable there

Was wisdom finally heard

He has found us

He has found us

He is the One true Light

What was darkness

What was shadow

In His presence is delight

This One born so lowly the heavens declare

Will someday reign without a rival there