Faithfulness

Matthew 2:9-12
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and 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 worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

In the last several years, Tim and I have owned three dogs. Tater, a lab/retriever mix, came into the world during an ice storm. He was a sweet puppy and grew into a wonderful pet. We adopted Miss Olive, our corgi/dachshund. She’d had eight puppies when the people found her, and she needed some TLC. Of course, now we have Rosie May, who also came to us as a puppy and has grown into a delightful companion.

These three all had their own personalities, but the one thing they all shared was loyalty. They have all loved us in their own way and preferred us over other humans. Tater and Olive were faithful companions right up until they passed, and Rosie May remains faithful to us each day.

After Jesus’ birth, Magi from the east searched for the new king. They spoke with King Herod before they discovered Jesus under the star they followed. When they entered Mary and Joseph’s home, they bowed in reverence to this tiny king, because they knew he was the son of God. Their interaction with Herod revealed his intention to harm Jesus. The loyalty and faithfulness they had for Jesus directed them to go home a different way to avoid revealing Jesus’ location to Herod. The Magi’s faith in God led them to protect young Jesus.

Jesus has been faithful all my life. He’s never left my side, so the least I can do is to be faithful to Him. Celebrate His birth with faith.