Christmas...the season just happens...but to find the meaning, one must seek!

There was a rich American visiting a small English town, that was in the depth of poverty. The American lost his dog. He asked to have a notice printed in the local evening paper offering £1000 for its return. Evening came, but no paper appeared. The American waited for some time. Then he went to the newspaper office. There he found no one but the night watchman. “Isn’t the newspaper coming out?” he asked. “I doubt it, sir,” the watchman said.  “The whole staff’s out hunting for a lost dog.” ^[1]

When the reward seems worth it our heart will seek for the prize! We have considered what happens when our heart is unwilling to accept the truth. Our heart will fear, manipulate, deceive and over react.

However, there were others that night that were open to the Truth. When confronted with it, their heart began to seek for that Truth.

Matthew 2:1–12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

There are two Key Characteristics of a Seeking Heart:

The Seeking Heart - understands priorities.

If we are not careful we can allow life to just happen, and before we know it things just get balled up. Too much to consider and too much to process. We either ignore or try to control what we do not even understand. However, when you are actively seeking answers about life, you will have a priority list.

Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

David was said in the scriptures to be a man after God’s heart. Notice how that impacted his heart.

2 Samuel 7:1–3 Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”

We know that God had David collect the materials for the Temple, which his son built. Still, notice his heart...he had his house, his kingdom and peace from all enemies...but David’s heart kept seeking what was important in life. Because of that hunger, he realized that God should be honored.

Jesus made the same point in Luke 15 with three different stories. The lost sheep, the coins and the sons; in each case individuals refused to just “move on” with life. They stopped and evaluated what was important and then took the action needed. Notice the woman that lost one of ten coins. She could have said “well I still have nine, I will find the other another time.” She did not!

Luke 15:8  “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

The Seeking Heart - initiates action

Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

This includes taking action even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. Remember these Magi were talking to King Herod in his kingdom about “the one Who is King of the Jews”!  However, circumstances do not control the seeking heart...a hunger for Truth does.

This Christmas, what drives your heart?  What questions are you asking yourself about your life, your eternity? Questions about how you handle time, money or what kind of child, parent or spouse you are? Are you seeking answers that will lead to a result or just hoping everything works out in the                                     end?

Next we will look at the confidence of the 

seeking heart and the result!

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^[1] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.