Max Lucado
Max Lucado
Recent Episodes
One’s imagination is kindled thinking about the conversation of the innkeeper and his family. Did anyone mention the arrival of the young couple the night before? Did anyone ask about the pregnancy of the girl on the donkey? The innkeeper and his family were so busy. The day was upon them, the day’s bread had to be made, the morning’s chores had to be done. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred – God had entered the world as a baby.
Meanwhile the city hummed. Merchants were unaware that God had visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he’d just sent God into the cold. Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival missed it not because of evil acts or malice. No, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking. Not much has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?
Read more In the Manger
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Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption. Just ask the Bethlehem shepherds – they had no expectations of excitement. These are sheep they’re watching. We count sheep to go to sleep! Shepherds, however, treasured the predictable. This was the night shift. Any excitement was bad excitement—wolves, lions, poachers. Just because they wanted a calm night, didn’t mean they would get it. Luke says, “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord shining around them, and they became very frightened.”
Change always brings fear before it brings faith. We always assume the worst before we look for the best. Good thing the shepherds lingered. Otherwise they might have missed the second verse: “Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ the Lord.” I hope you’ll do what the shepherds did. Linger near the manger.
Read more In the Manger
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After worshipping Christ the child, the wise men “departed for their own country another way” (Matthew 2:12 NKJV). Matthew uses the word “way” in other places to suggest a direction of life. He may be telling us that the wise men went home as different men. Called by a sign, instructed by Scripture, and directed home by God. It’s as if all the forces of heaven cooperated to guide the wise men.
God uses every possible means to communicate with you. The wonders of nature call to you. The promises and the prophecies of Scripture speak to you. God wants to help you find your way home.
And when God sends signs, be faithful. Let them lead you to Scripture. As Scripture directs, be humble. Let it lead you to worship. And as you worship the Son, be grateful. Because he will lead you home.
Read more Christmas Stories: Heartwarming Classics of Angels, a Manger, and the Birth of Hope
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“We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2 NKJV).
You know, people see signs of God every day. Sunsets that steal the breath. Newborns that bring tears. But do all who see the signs draw near to God? No.
The wise men, however, understood the purpose of the sign. And they followed it to Jerusalem, where they heard about the scripture. The prophecy told them where to find Christ. It is interesting to note that the star reappeared after they learned about the prophecy. The star “came and stood shining right over the place where the Child was” (Matthew 2:9). It is as if the sign and word worked together to bring the wise men to Jesus.
The ultimate aim of all God’s messages, both miraculous and written, is to shed the light of heaven on Jesus.
Read more Christmas Stories: Heartwarming Classics of Angels, a Manger, and the Birth of Hope
For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.
Oh, the things we do to give gifts to those we love. But we would do it all again. The fact is, we do it all again. Every Christmas, every birthday, and every so often we find ourselves in foreign territory. Grownups are in toy stores, wives are in the hunting department, and husbands are in the purse department.
And we do the most unusual things. We assemble bicycles at midnight. We hide new tires with mag wheels under the stairs. One fellow I heard about rented a movie theater so he and his wife could see their wedding pictures on their anniversary.
And we’d do it all again. Having pressed the grapes of service, we drink life’s sweetest wine—the wine of giving. We are at our best when we are giving. In fact, we are most like God when we are giving.
Read more Christmas Stories: Heartwarming Classics of Angels, a Manger, and the Birth of Hope
For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.