journey | My Everyday God

Lauren navigates the last leg of our obstacle course.

Today on our Journey to the Manger, we followed the star with the Wise Men.

God placed the star in the sky when His Son was born to share the news with the entire world. He wanted every people of every nation, tribe and tongue to know the Messiah was here—and that the world would never be the same. God sent Himself to come and dwell among us!

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.

– Matthew 2:1

Wise Men Follow the Star

Magi in the East recognized the shift in the skies and the new light that shone forth. They understood a King had been born, and were moved to go find him. The star guided them through the rough terrain to Jerusalem, and then on to Bethlehem. The wise men entered the presence of the King, and finally understood why they came. They fell to their knees and worshiped the Savior.

Today we jumped through an obstacle course in our home, as we considered the journey the wise men took. We wove around chairs, jumped over the ottoman, leaped from pillow to pillow and dove under the piano bench.

The star beckoned the entire earth to rejoice that the King of Kings had arrived! Jesus’ birth not only affected Bethlehem and the surrounding area, it changed the world, showcased by the star in the heavens. It transforms us even now.

Jesus came to reveal Himself to all mankind, and to you and me. For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and Only Son.

Click here to learn more about celebrating Advent with your family this Christmas, including access to a Scripture plan, free downloads and activity ideas. For more on Journey to the Manger, an advent experience from Focus on the Family, visit the Thriving Family website.

We celebrated my birthday at our favorite local restaurant today!

Today is my birthday!

I’ve been looking forward to this birthday, when I turn 33. My husband turned this age last year, and I teased him that Jesus finished His ministry on the cross at age 33, so he’d better make the year count, too.

This morning when I woke up, my first thought was, Jesus was the exact age I am now as He powerfully preached that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, always had time to heal people’s bodies and hearts, knelt as a servant to wash His friends’ feet and willingly gave up His life so that I could truly live.

To think Jesus was only 33 when all that came to be is overwhelming. I can just imagine the priests and religious elders of that day thinking – who does this young pup think he is, acting like he owns the place? – when in fact, HE DOES. The depth of his love and compassion for each person, the way He stayed available to those who needed Him, the tears He wept over Jerusalem as He entered, the life-saving words He spoke to the criminal next to him as He suffered – Jesus’s testimony convicts my sinful heart.

As I anticipated my birthday yesterday, I thought about what God would want of me during my 33rd year of life. Though I joked that Matt better make his 33rd year a good one, I realized those words were now directed at me. Time is too easy to waste, and I am a pro at letting moments and opportunities slip by. So, I asked God, how can I best spend this year?

God drew me straight to His Word.

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

Luke 1:1-4

I am going to spend this year walking with Jesus. I want to personally see and experience again Jesus’s journey from heaven to the cross and back again. To do this, I am going to try to place myself in Theophilus’ shoes, and receive the letter of Luke as my own. Jesus’ story is my story. My life has no meaning or purpose apart from the Gospel.

I will try to record my Jesus Journey, verse-by-verse through Luke’s account, on the blog each week, in addition to our family’s everyday God experiences. I need accountability, because I am great at starting but not always at finishing. I would like to personally invite you to join me on my 33rd year adventure and see Jesus through fresh eyes, reading for the first time as Theophilus might have, so that we can be certain of the truth. Sign up to receive blog posts in your email, and come back often!