Missing God

We see in Luke 2:1-40 that most people surrounding the miracle of the first Christmas were oblivious to what God was doing. They missed it.

Caesar Augustus was issuing decrees and barking orders yet was clueless to what God was doing—saving the world.

“No room in the inn” meant that a hotel full of people (no doubt a small hotel) stayed closed up in their rooms, missing the historical event. Bethlehem residents had no idea. Everyone except a precious few missed it. How often do we miss what God is doing right in front of us?

Who didn’t miss it?

The shepherds did not. God gave them a specially delivered Angelic Birth Announcement.

Simeon did not. He was full of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit prompted him to go to the temple and see the Christ Child.

Anna did not. She had been longing, waiting and watching. She recognized who the Child was at the temple as well.

What’s the difference between those who were oblivious and those who were included?

The clueless folks went about their everyday lives. In essence, they did nothing differently and totally missed it. The majority of people today miss the incredible things of God because we go about our everyday lives and miss what God is doing.

But, there are a few who are involved in what God is doing. Some, like the shepherds, because God sends them a special message to invite them. Still, we must listen and respond. The shepherds could have said, “No. We’re busy. We can’t go right now.”

Instead, the shepherds allowed God to interrupt their lives and were included in the world-altering event. When God calls, prompts, or moves, that is the time we must say “yes” and respond in obedience. If we are unwilling to be interrupted, we will miss out on an incredible work of God.

Some, like Simeon, are filled with the Spirit of God, submitting to His reign in their lives, and simply need a prompt from the Spirit. Simeon was so used to God prompting through the Spirit that Simeon knew exactly what that meant—God was working. Are we walking so close to the Lord that when His Spirit prompts we hear and respond? If not, we are probably missing some works of God.

Some, like Anna, are expecting, watching, and longing for God to move. When God moves, they know it because they were ready and wanting Him to move. They have even prayed for Him to move. Do we expect God to step in? Are we looking for Him in our lives? Do we long for Him to do a work? Anna did not miss the Christ because she was watching for the Christ.

Most will miss God this Christmas. But those to whom God speaks, those filled with the Spirit of God, and those longing for a move of the Lord will not. Will you be oblivious? Or will you be in on what God is doing? Merry Christmas!