Looking and Finding

January 7th, 2012 Posted in writing

“Everything we knew brought us there, but nothing could prepare us for what we found.” So might the wise men have said when they reflected back on their journey to Bethlehem.

They knew they would find a king because their knowledge of the heavens told them that when a king was born, a star would appear, and all they had to do was follow that star. But they thought kings were found only in palaces seated on thrones. They didn’t expect to find one in a common dwelling sitting on his mother’s lap with no servants or courtiers in attendance.

We can relate to their experience if we have set out to find Christ in churches or the beauties of nature or when good things happen to us, but find him also in unexpected places and circumstances. Mother Teresa said she found Christ “in the dreadful disguise of the poor,” parents of disabled or mentally challenged children may find him in their child’s smile or spontaneous display of love, and homeless people, ignored by all those who pass them by, may find him when others treat them with respect.

St. Paul wrote that we should seek the Lord; but, like the wise men, when we find him it may come as a surprise. Have you found yourself looking for Christ lately? If you’ve found him, was he what or where you expected?

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January 10, 2012; 50 degrees —- Isn’t there supposed to be some white stuff on the ground?

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