Advent: The Coming of Jesus ChristSample

DEVOTIONAL

We're continuing our week celebrating "The Shepherd's Candle," also known as the JOY candle. Today, we will switch gears and celebrate other men who were involved in welcoming Jesus into the world. The Wise Men. The wise men or "kings" traveled very far because of the stars in the sky leading them to Jesus.

They made a stop along the way to King Herod. But they discovered that King Herod's motives for knowing the whereabouts of Jesus were wicked. King Herod wanted to kill Jesus! So, the wise men kept the location of Jesus a secret as they went to visit him.

In most nativity scenes, you will see the wise men gathered around Jesus as a baby. But actually, historians believe that Jesus would have been closer to the age of two when the wise men finally arrived. Either way, the wise men STOPPED what they were doing and pursued JOY.

They focused on the star to lead them to the JOY of the world. What about you? Have you stopped to look and follow the star of JOY, today? Have you taken your eyes off of Heaven during this busy season?

Give yourself a moment to begin your journey towards the star of Jesus once again.

ACTIVITY

Bundle up and venture outside tonight. We hope it's clear skies. If not, check the weather forecast and reschedule for a clear night. We're going to stargaze!

We recommend you download the Star Walk 2 app if you don't have a telescope or don't know what you're looking at. The app will help point out planets and constellations.

Admire the handiwork of the One who created all you see. The Lord brings out the starry hosts and calls them each by name.