This blog accompanies the video Hope & Expectation at Christmas that can be found here.
Are we there yet?
We’ve all heard ask “Are we there yet?” Perhaps, we too, as children, repeated that question over and over until we got to our destination.
Imagine now, the journey of the Magi. They must have asked themselves more than once, “Are we there yet?” They journeyed from the farthest corners of their countries to get to the birthplace of the Christ Child – up and over hills, across streams, through hot, windy deserts, and over terrain with wildlife. They overcame every hurdle because they were determined to reach the king.
What would we have done? What do we do today to reach and touch our beloved Jesus, to walk in his footsteps? We too have had hurdles on our journey, distractions, forks in the road which take us away from keeping our attention and focus on our Lord, Jesus Christ – financial problems, health issues, family controversies, abuses and dependencies.
Now, as we grow older, we face other hurdles. It’s not easy to grow old, to get up every morning with a new ailment, to experience the loss of loved ones, to feel lonely and vulnerable – not being able to do simple things for ourselves.
How can we maneuver through all this? Just like the Magi, we need hope. We need to continue to have that determination that the Christ Child is there, waiting and loving. We’ll keep asking, “are we there yet? But we need to forge ahead, rest as we can, and find the most direct, most loving and least bumpy route to the kingdom.
Bible Study Outline:
This is a three-week bible study program. Enjoy and reflect on the journey that the Magi took and the treasure they found at their destination.
- Week 1: You will review terms used in the passage, listen to the passage and follow your guide reader’s suggestions as you view the art associated with it. At the end, you may want to share your thoughts based on the guide reader’s initial questions.
- Week 2: You will read the passage together and take some time to discuss the questions which follow the reading.
- Week 3: You will read the closing reflection, listen to the song associated with it and discuss together the final discussion question.
Explanation of terms:
Artwork and Bible Passage
Discussion of Passage
Questions for Discussion
Closing Reflection/Prayer