It can be very easy after many years of knowing and believing the Christmas story, to miss the detail in it. Reading again the story of the wise men brings back a sense of expectation. What we expect of the wise men or even of God is not always what or how He delivers. God likes to surprise us.

As Christmas approaches most of us will have a sense of anticipation, expectation and excitement. What gifts might we receive? We may be expecting and visiting family and friends. Other expectations may include the bright lights, the twinkling stars, the good food, and the Advent calendar count down. However expectation does not always deliver in reality. Even if we have a good time we can be left exhausted, disappointed and wondering “is that it”?

The wise men expected to find the new King in a palace; quite a reasonable expectation that we all might have had. They experienced a long journey, spent time choosing and carrying gifts, and were no doubt delighted to have arrived at the palace. They must have been exhausted and then disappointed to discover that the new King was not there.

They carried on their journey and arrived at a stable. What would you have expected to find in that stable? At least a donkey or a goat or two? There, as we know, they found the baby Jesus. The wise men recognised and accepted this baby Jesus as the new King. They bowed down and gave their gifts and they were overjoyed. Disappointment had gone.

God made himself man in the form of his Son Jesus. Many people today might expect to find God in heaven or even in grand cathedrals and churches, but God wants to be found in our hearts and lives this Christmas. It might not be what you expected but will you accept Him this Christmas?

Karen Macrae