It felt extremely wise of us – stay away from the ICE – so our family discussed plans and we travelled BEFORE the ice storm – we nestled in when we got back home – and in spite of the weather – which for us was pure ice ice slush puppies for hours and slick! about 3/4 inch ice that I broke apart in chunks from the driveway… (I enjoyed the sheer breaking of the ice chunks with a heavy heavy metal shovel – I love weather). So, I really enjoyed all of us here – playing board games – like LIFE and SORRY – and on the previous night of Christmas Day – CLUE and Exploding Kittens. We dug out of the ice and went to an amazing museum of nativities from all around the world – beautiful and worth the travel – still watching the ice!

Wisemen kept an eye on the stars and the text of the prophets – and they themselves were good weathermen surely – and they were wise to listen to advice – both hearing what Herod said and instead obeying what was told to them in a dream (and not returning to Herod). The Wisemen knew to study the scriptures: “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 

Instead of the bad weather that the times were brewing (storms of the fear of Herod), they travelled INSPIRED and directed by the Spirit. The Wisemen: saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Our gifts that we present to the Christ child and the family of Jesus is our presence instead of our presents. And taking the opportunity to have my mom down here is a blessing – she appreciates us taking care of her – and of course – why wouldn’t we – she took care of us and still does… My mom was thankful to see her grandkids of course – and they her. The most precious gift is the LOVE she shares with us.

LOVE is the best sharing EVER – LOVE travels independently of weather and is never late or wasted. LOVE IS ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME.

AMEN

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Matthew 2:1-12 NKJV – Wise Men from the East
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, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.