Religion

Be strong and courageous. Deuteronomy 32:6

When you try something for the first time or something you’ve already failed at, you need courage.

Remember learning to walk? First you tried standing on shaky limbs, smiled in short-lived triumph, fell down, cried in frustration and kept getting back up until you mastered the art of standing. Something inside you told you that you were meant for more than just lying in a crib.

Late 2009 provided another vivid experience of a close call with vulnerability. A young, well educated and well off young man from another country attached explosives to his inner clothing with the alleged intent of igniting it and bringing down an airplane with many people aboard.

Since then there has been major the back-and-forth about whether “the system” worked or not. The good news: the bomb did not go off and all landed safely.

The story of the Wise Men is shrouded in mystery. How many were there? Where did they come from? How long did the journey take? They show mysteriously, and just as mysteriously, they are gone. What do we learn from their story?

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Their journey seems to be one of faith. They had faith that he was alive and they needed to find him. They were willing to risk everything to find him. The Wise Men were men of faith, and the fact is God’s journeys always involve faith.

The baby leaped in her womb. Luke 1:41

After telling the virgin Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, “ the angel of the Lord announces, “Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age … for nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:35-37.

Next we read, “Mary got ready and hurried ... she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.