Down to Earth: A Christmas Devotional JourneySample

Day 18: God of Surprises

Reflection

How would you describe your journey to meeting Jesus? If the Magi had been asked that question, I think they’d say it was long, unexpected, and dangerous. They weren’t the obvious candidates to be amongst Jesus' first recorded visitors – you’d probably expect that to be close relatives or health visitors. Instead, they were astrologers from a faraway land, deceptively dispatched by a tyrannical ruler who wanted to quell any potential threats to his dominion. But upon their arrival, they immediately recognized the Baby before them to be the King of the Universe come to Earth, worthy of their worship and adoration.

For all of us, there are probably people in our lives we think would never meet and worship Jesus. Perhaps it's a colleague who reported you to HR for wearing a cross necklace, a sibling who rolls their eyes when you talk about faith or a friend whose top priorities seem to be sex, money, and popularity. If so, take heart, because our God is a God of surprises. He invites people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and occupations to come and worship Him. And what’s more, He uses unexpected situations and ordinary people to bring them on the journey.

So, boldly live and share the Good News with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. Because even the most unlikely candidates might "bow down and worship" Jesus because of your witness.

Prayer

Take a moment to pray for the person you’d least expect to worship Jesus. Ask God for opportunities to show and share His Love with them this Christmas.