Looking for Jesus

 

A few years ago, drama erupted when Baby Jesus went missing from the manger of a public nativity scene. It turns out mischievious teenagers kidnapped the Christ child figure as a prank. But the unintended effect was that suddenly everyone was looking for Jesus. 

As I thought about this story again, I wondered—

Where did they look?

And then, where do I look?

Too many times at Christmas I never get past the manger. I stand there, pondering, thinking of Jesus as a baby sent to save the world...

 

But that’s only the beginning of the story.

Jesus didn’t stay in the manger.

Or on the cross.

So I’m asking myself today, "Where do I find Him now? What are the moments when divine and everyday intersect in a way that makes my heart whisper, 'He's here'?”

It turns out they are far more ordinary than I would imagine…

The smile of a dear friend across a cup of coffee.

The hug of a family member when we meet at the airport.

The blink of a new comment carrying encouraging words from one of you.

If Christ is in us then we find Him in each other.

In the story I shared at the beginning, it turned out Jesus was closer than everyone thought. The same is true for us...

"And they will call him Immanuel—which means, 'God with us.' ” 

 

Dear Jesus, help us find you this Christmas by letting our hearts see all the ways you are already here. 

Where do you see Him in your everyday life?

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I'm writing about "When the Holidays are Hard" on Blissfully Domestic today.

I hope you'll stop by...just click here.

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Comments

[~Grace & Peace]

Great post, Holley. Where DO I see Jesus? The first thing that came to mind were my children - especially when they're sleeping. I see Him there. Then when I step out to go to work and I am hit with the morning breeze and the smell of the trees. I feel Him there. When I visit my bloggy friends and my heart is warmed by the posts I read. I see Him there. When I receive an answered prayer - or two. I know He's there.

[Reese]

I saw Jesus on my way to work this morning: One side of the street's tree's were Green-the other side of the street-Tree's of bright orange color's. I love watching the leaves turn from green to bright. Anticipation.

love
reese

[Jessica]

I see Him in the faces of my children.
in my husband's laughter
in the daily rhythms of living and breathing.
I even see Him where I might forget to look:
The laundry piles, the piles of dishes, my desk that accumulates too many papers and books...Because these are the places where I slow to find Him. Busy hands and open heart.
This is beautiful Holley.
God Bless,
J.

[sheryl]

oh, i love this post! we do miss Jesus in the ordinary, don't we? i see Him in the smiles & laughter of my teen children. i see Him in those that come to "help" around our house. i see Him when i reccognize the joy in my life.

thanks for this!!

[Maureen]

Love this! The same types of thoughts went through my head this morning as I was walking from bus to bus, under the street tunnel. There is always this older guy who plays violin in the tunnel in the mornings for money, and he's actually super good. I was thinking that his playing is so beautiful, and what a shame it is to have talent like that and have to do what he does. Made me think of how much God loves him and how he gave him that talent. Even in his playing, he made me think of God and his goodness. I found Jesus through this non-believing, poor Jew and his music.

[Lisa notes...]

A great post. Where will we find Jesus this season? I just found him on your blog! Thanks!

[Kristen - Moms Sharpening Moms]

Holley, I just have to say that I so enjoy your writing!

I find Him in the way my husband looks at me. I find Him in the way my kids say, "I love you, Mama" without me saying it to them first. I find Him when I go to the grocery store on a busy day and He gives me a parking space where I can just pull out (and not back up first) when I leave. I know that sounds odd, but it is just one of those little things He does for me! :)

[Kelly Langner Sauer]

"Suddenly, everybody was looking for Jesus."

I LOVE that. I wrote today from a scattered place, when words meant to cut me drove me into His Life, the victory that goes beyond the babe in the manger, beyond the man hung on a cross. It is so real, this Life we ponder during this season. That God came to live our life and experience what His creation experiences, to bear our shame, and bring us perfection...

This is the Jesus I have been looking for. The Savior I so desperately need, the one I can pray with you to see. Thanks for this.

[Linda]

What a beautiful reminder Holley. If we only have eyes to see, we will see Him in the faces of our loved ones, of dear friends who pray with us and worship with us. Perhaps we will even see Him in the smile of a stranger.

[Nancy]

Holley Kathryn is struggling from the surgery to remove her kidney stone. Please pray for her

[Jennifer]

Oh ... my, my, my...

Your words. They feed this soul. They radiate and pulse with JESUS.

Thank you such a beautiful, thoughtful post.

[Katie]

the giggle of my kids
the embrace of my man
the sun setting
the moon rising
kind words
AWESOME women of God, He has put in my path
wonderful praise and worship

LOVE THIS POST..........

[Diva Kreszl]

I so loved your post for today...as a youth leader for Sr. High kids in our church I am going to present this next week when we meet. Very good thoughts for our youth and leaders alike!!!

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Dear Holley, I just love your post and it is so beautiful! Sorry you had not heard from me in a while. I had a lot on my mind in the last many days. I just love the fact that we can find Jesus in the most ordinary way as I am very ordinary... Bless you dear Holley for being such a blessing...You just shine and you're marvelous...I love these words: "Where do I find Him now...?" Once again, I love to have a coffee with you! I find Jesus in the morning and afternoon sunshine, I meditate His Word and I thank Him for all His goodness... I find Him in family during gathering times, also I find Him when the birds in my yard splash away in the bird bath, i also fin Him when my husband comes home from work and says, "Honey, I'm home...!" Also when my son says on msn or gmail, "Mum, are you there?" Blessing to you dear Holley...