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CURRENT RADIO SERIES Why Believe: Home for the Holidays   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs for the Savior

After listening to the king, [the wise men] went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9-10 What is the fundamental question that fuels how we look at the universe? It’s bigger than, “What’s the meaning of life?” And it’s deeper than, “Is there a God?” No, I believe the deepest question our souls long to answer is this: “Why is there something instead of nothing?” And our answer to that question will determine exactly how we look at our universe and ourselves. So how does a wise man or woman begin to search for answers to that question? By sincere investigation. The magi knew this … and although they worshipped false gods, they had a longing to know the truth. So when they saw the star in the East that directed them toward Bethlehem, they risked life and limb to seek the truth. More than our presuppositions and assumptions about the universe, we must first begin by asking that same question and sincerely investigating possible answers if we want to discover the truth. For these magi, it meant traveling to Bethlehem. Maybe for you, it means seriously investigating the claims of the Christian faith. Above all else, our pursuit should be for the truth. And for millions, that pursuit – like the magi’s – has led them straight to the feet of Jesus.

A Gift in Person

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
John 1:14–17

There are times when circumstances force us to only be able to send presents to people we wish we could be with on Christmas. But there is nothing that can compare to being there in person when the wrapping paper comes off and the gift is revealed. There is a connection that is made when we are together with family and loved ones that cannot be experienced any other way.
In every human heart, there is a longing for something deeper and more meaningful than what this world can provide. Moses expressed his longing for a deep and real connection with God when he was leading the Children of Israel. The tasks which he faced required more than an abstract knowledge of God—Moses needed God with him day after day. “And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15).
Many try to fill the void with other things, but only Jesus can satisfy the longing of the heart. And to meet that need, He came in person. The Lord did not send a present—He came into the world and took on human form because of our great need of a Saviour. Christmas is not an impersonal story. It is the story of God’s love being manifest in a personal way. It is the story of our value in His eyes.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Jesus came into this world as a visible expression of the amazing love God has for those who do not love Him.