December 20, 2025 - God is Always There

God is Always There

By Drew Bauer

Saturday, December 20, 2025

[Editor's Note:  Drew is a member of the church's Youth Group.  I am delighted to have Drew participate in the church-wide project!]

Mathew 2 starts off when Jesus was first born. He was born in Bethlehem and during this time, Bethlehem was ruled by King Herod. The day Jesus was born, a star so bright was lite up and lead wise men down to Bethlehem. These wise men visited and upon their  visit asked, “Where is the newborn king?”.  

This ask made all of Jerusalem and King Herod disturbed, so disturbed that King Herod called all leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked them, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”. The priests and teachers all confirmed that the Messiah was supposed to be born in Bethlehem.  After King Herod got his confirmation, he called the wise men and ordered them to seek for Jesus, and once they find baby Jesus they are to report back to him so he can go and worship Jesus himself. 

The wise men set off, following the bright star, to go find him. Upon finding Jesus, they bowed and worshiped him, leaving him gifts, gold, and praise. The next morning the wise men left, but not to return to King Herod, but to return to their own country, as God visited them in their dream the night before and warned  them never to return to King Herod. 

Reading this scripture, I’m reminded that God always has a plan for us. We have a path that we think we are supposed to follow, but God is the only one that truly knows. The wise men were planning on going back to King Herod, but God warned them not to and they listened. God is always there, listening, protecting, and loving all of us. Even when we don’t know it.

 

Lord, help us to be wise like the Magi, seeking you with a sincere heart and following the light of your star to find you, even when paths are unclear.  

Help us to come to you not with empty hands, but with the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of self-sacrifice, offering you our best.  

As the Wise Men found Jesus and returned home by another way, grant us the grace to find you in repentance and to avoid losing you again, staying true to our faith.  

God, help us to grow in awe that you became one of us. May we rejoice in your coming and share the joy of your love with everyone we meet.