Read: Matthew 2:1-12

On our recent trip to Texas for Thanksgiving we had the Google Maps app up on our phones for almost the entire trip.  Even if you know where you are going it is nice to see the actual time you will be arriving at the bottom.  Another feature is the voice that tells you when to turn, when you need to turn around, and when you have arrived at your destination, I usually choose to keep that muted.  Thank goodness the voice doesn’t tell you when to stop for gas, when you need to eat, or when to use the restroom.  That just might be too much information and an invasion of privacy, but that day may be coming soon.

A common phrase we hear from this GPS voice is “recalculating” or red lines showing up all over the screen when you take a different route than the one they think is best for you.  It’s nice of them to want to keep you on track but sometimes I think my way is a better option than the two or three others they are giving me on the phone.  Sometimes I regret going my own way though, if I would have followed the plan things would have turned out better.

This whole GPS thing reminded me about the Magi (The Wise Men) that came to see Jesus in Bethlehem after his birth (Matthew 2:1-12).  God gave them a star in the sky to guide them to the Savior of the world.  They followed that guiding light and ended up at Jesus’ side.  In verses 10 and 11 of Matthew 2 it says, “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Because the wise Magi from the east followed the star (God’s directions) they found the Savior that God had sent to the world in Jesus.

The lesson for me was this:  It’s okay to mute the voice on my GPS unit, but I need to make sure I am not doing the same to God.  The Lord wants to give us direction and guidance in our lives and we need to listen and follow that direction at all times.  Those Magi in the Bible have come to be known as wise men.  We would be wise as well if we allow God to lead us to our Savior Jesus Christ.  “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Make It Personal:  Whose version of Christmas are you following this year.  Is it the world’s consumeristic focus, is it all about the decorations, is it rushed, busy, and stressed out? Or is it calm, hopefully, peaceful, joyful, and filled with love?  That is the Christmas season that Jesus wants us to celebrate and live.  We are trying to focus on those things each Sunday during Advent but please make sure they are a part of your plan and Christmas destination.