NAD NewsPoints - Merry Christmas

[Stan]

December 25, 2015 A Christmas Reflection on the Gift of Jesus   In 1895, a short story titled The Other Wise Man, by Henry van Dyke, was published in Harpers New Monthly Magazine. It told the story of a mythical fourth wise man who searched for the new born King after reading the prophecy of His birth. He followed the signs in the heavens and was to meet up with the three “original” wise men. Carrying a sapphire, a ruby and a pearl, the wise man started his journey but was delayed while helping a dying man, causing him to miss the caravan following the star. The wise man then spends the next 33 years searching for the King, always seemingly to miss him by minutes as he traveled to Egypt where Jesus and his family had fled, and through out the Middle East performing acts of charity along the way.   Several times he ends up giving one of his precious gifts to save another in need. The end of his journey brings him to Jerusalem in time to see the crucifixion of the King, where he spends his last “gift” to save the life of a young woman destined to a life of slavery. He then is mortally wounded in an accident, and his dying thoughts are of his failed quest.  As he is about to die, he hears a voice saying “Verily I say unto thee, in as much as thou has done it unto the least of these my brethren, thou has done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40). He dies in peace knowing that he has found the King and his acts of charity were gifts in His honor.   As we spend our holidays with family and friends, rejoicing in the season, may we always think of the gift that Jesus gave to us and how He calls us to share it with others. May our “gifts” always honor the One who came to earth to live, serve and freely give of Himself.   The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists prays that you and your loved ones will find peace and joy in this holiday season and a new passion for a life found in serving the King of heaven and earth.       follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend read or subscribe to NewsPoints online

© 2014 North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists | 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 Dan Weber, communication director | Julio Muñoz, associate director Email: newspoints@nad.adventist.org | Website: nadadventist.org/newspoints Add me to this listRemove me from this listForward to a friendFind us on Facebook