Miraculous Appearance

 If you had to sum up in one word what currently matters most in American culture, a good describer would be "appearances".  Yes, appearances seem to be what is most important to people. There are influencers, celebrities, and even famous people with no talent appearing to be important, wealthy, cleaver, or have some special quality that others are chasing after.

The truth is, things are not always as they appear. What is visible to the world via social media, Hollywood, or the news is almost always a made up version of reality. That is not surprising when you consider we live in a fallen world. Jesus warned us that Satan is a liar. His goal is to distract, attract and attack. He even tried tempting Jesus. He will stop at nothing to make what is bad look good, just to get his way.

God's "appearances" are quite different. With God we learned to never judge a book by its cover as he uses the small, unassuming, and meek to do mighty and often miraculous work. His ways are awesome and awe inspiring. He sent the Savior of the World as an innocent newborn baby and had angels and a star appeared to announce His arrival.  He used a small shepherd boy to take down a giant and become King. He chose an orphaned girl to grow up and become a courageous queen, saving Israel from annihilation.

What about you? Are you getting caught up in appearances and becoming distracted from what matters most? Are you focusing on Christmas gifts, decorating and hosting the perfect "celebrity"  version Christmas for yourself, or are you celebrating the true meaning of Christmas? No matter how things appear, Jesus Christ, and the joy that comes from knowing Him as the Lord of your life, is the greatest gift of all.

Praise honor and glory to you Jesus Christ! 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: 

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14