“And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” Matthew 2:12
Most nativity scenes include the wise men, the magi who traveled from “the east” to pay homage to Jesus because they saw his sign in the Star of Bethlehem. New Testament scholars, though, believe the wise men arrived up to 2 years after Jesus’ birth. One reason is the mention of their entering a home to find the Christ-child and Jesus was born in a stable.
Regardless of their arrival, it’s their departure that makes for an interesting spiritual reflection. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, as they promised, to let him know where Jesus was born. Instead “they returned to their country by another route.” It makes for an interesting thought worth pondering, that Christ changes our way. That is what He came to do, to be our “way, truth and life.” Christ changes the way we live.
So how will your way be different this year? If you start with a negative turn it into a positive focus.
For instance, do you want to worry less this year? Focus on what builds trust in God. Commit to a new devotional or worship routine. Read more spiritually uplifting material that builds your confidence in God’s power. Join a small group. Meet with a prayer partner frequently. Your focus will be building trust, but you may see something changing in your worries.
Do you want to get finances under control. Focus on stewardship and the knowledge that everything belongs to God and that God will take care of you. Read some books of biblical financial practices. Take a class like “Financial Peace University.” Discover aids for building a budget that provides what you need with the ability to get out of debt and build savings.
Do you want deeper meaning? Focus on helping others. Look for ways to serve and make a positive difference. Volunteer somewhere. Or change your volunteer service to wake up some new interests in life.
You get the idea. The key is thinking about what we would really like to be different about life in 2024 and if that leaves you stumped, pray, “God what might you want to change about my way this year?”
The key is to believe that God always wants to lead us to places that are joyful, hopeful and helpful.