Day 18 – The First Noel

My friend was sharing with me about her dependence on her Google Map phone app. She said she wouldn’t be able to find her way anywhere anymore without it. I agreed.

Gone are the days of memorizing signpost markers or vague destination points to know when to turn. You know what I mean… “Take a left at the green and yellow Gas Station, then go awhile until you see the farm with the red barn on your left. Take a right there and then a left at the roadside Vegetable Stand.” How did we get anywhere before GPS?

Isn’t it wonderful that God has given us both signposts in His Word as well as the inner GPS direction of His Holy Spirit to guide us throughout our days? He is there for us as we make the most important decisions of our lives. And sometimes He even gives us more. Sometimes He speaks through the comment of a friend, a song we happen to find on the radio, the circumstances in which we find ourselves …just as He placed a brilliant star in the heavens to guide the wise men.

When we tell the Nativity story, we tend to forget the real impact of this star so necessary for the wise men to find the One they sought to worship. God always wants us to find Him and seek His will. He will use any means necessary to get our attention.

As you listen to this carol, marvel with me that God placed a star in the sky from the beginning of creation in preparation to lead the wise men. What is God placing in your path? Are you watching and waiting, listening, and obeying as He speaks? If not, it’s never too late to start.

The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]

And by the light of that same star
three Wise Men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense. [Refrain]

“God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” (Genesis 1:16)

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ..”. ( Matthew 1:1-2)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105