At Thanksgiving I enjoyed the cacophony of little kids running around playing together. With toddlers in the mix, cries of MINE! rang out, as each claimed a toy in the hands of another.

No one was surprised by this behavior among children. But I perceive the attitude in myself. I’m happy if you have what’s yours, as long as I get what’s mine.

The Lord, however, throws a wrench into my grabby nature. He told Job, Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

I may consider a possession as my own, but it’s actually the Lord’s. I might hoard dollars in a bank account, but the dollars and the account and the bank building and the bankers themselves all belong to God. What I hold comes from the hand of the Lord, and I simply serve at a steward of his gifts.

As I look back on an old year and turn to the new, it helps me to think on this principle. Hold my money and possessions loosely, and stay generous with the goods under my stewardship. I’m far better when I release the totality of all I have, and instead grab at the ways of the Lord.

Job 41 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Andres Perez

I just finished reading through the Bible this year, cover to cover for the thirty-first time. Selecting the same material seems like it might get old, but that’s not been my experience. The Bible is a huge and complex book filled with challenging concepts and arcane practices. It helps me see my place in the world, and best of all, opens a door to the understanding of God.

The Scriptures point to ways to live and treat others. My mind goes deeper, and I think on topics beyond myself as I spend time in its pages. The habit of daily reading centers my soul. Best of all, an amazing God emerges.

The Holy Spirit uses the words of the Scriptures to comfort, convict, encourage, and embolden me. Bible words create bone-dry tinder for the sparks of the Spirit. Far beyond an academic exercise, reading the Bible generates an interaction with the divine, an ongoing channel to the touch of God.

Even if subtle and rare, God speaks through his Word. God often communicates through a whisper, which takes quiet reflection to discern. If I focus on social media and entertainment and fail to crack the cover of the Good Book, then I miss out on unmatched treasures.

Here’s an open invitation: The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Within the Holy Scriptures we find the the water of life. Jesus invites us to partake. A little time and attention changes everything. I plan to read through the Bible again this coming year. Then I’ll read it the following years, over and over until my eyes go bad. After that I’ll listen. Take it in. Enjoy nourishment for heart and soul, to the benefit of you and me and all those around us.

Revelation 22 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Aaron Burden

The story of the Magi, or wise men from the East, holds a bit of mystery. Who were these learned men, and how did they come to recognize the heavenly body pointing to a recently born king? When they arrived in Israel they asked for directions—Where is the one born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

Certainly these were educated men, wealthy enough to set out on a costly journey bearing expensive gifts. But some force beyond intellectual curiosity propelled them, an internal churn to meet this king of which they knew little. Imagine their surprise to find Jesus not in a palace, but living in humble means in the tiny village of Bethlehem.

Which didn’t matter to these seekers at all. The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

This Christmas day we exchange gifts due to a tradition dating back to the Magi. But more importantly, we reflect their desire to seek out God among us. Jesus himself promised, Seek and you will find. The Magi sought and found. Their story holds promise for you and me as well. May we also find Jesus at the end of our journey.

Merry Christmas!

Matthew 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Robert Thiemann

I can never get beyond the fact that the first people to whom God chose to announce the birth of his son where shepherds. Not kings. Not wealthy CEOs. Not princesses or priests, but dirty, smelly shepherds.

Blue collar, these herders possessed neither power nor education. They lived away from polite society. They had nothing to give Jesus—which is perhaps the point.

Of many lessons we can draw from the story found in Luke, the most compelling to me is the reminder that every single person, even the lowliest in society’s estimation, remains a creature immensely valuable to God.

The Lord chose to first announce the greatest birth in all history, the delivery of our Savior, to people on the bottom rung. Something to ponder during our busy rush this time of year.

Luke 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Patrick Schneider