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“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea…Magi came from the East…” (Matthew 1:1).

They came to our door every January 6th during our 15 years in Germany. Three boys dressed in robes to resemble a regal status, paper crowns with somewhat tarnished gilt edges, a tall staff in one hand and a tin cup in the other. They sang a traditional song which told of the visit’s purpose: collecting money for the less fortunate.

These kings came to collect. Their forebears traveled far to give. The original Wise Men—likely pagan astrologers or magicians—made a long trek to find and worship One about whom they knew little, just that he was to be king.

Although they figure prominently in every Christmas scene, we know so little about them. Only that they followed a star, were undeterred in their quest, gave extravagant gifts and worshipped the Christ.

What about us at the beginning of this New Year? What or whom am I following? How faithful is my search for truth? What gifts am I prepared to give as symbols of my worship of the Christ? Will I one day be called a Wise Woman?

The Christmas tree is down, the decorations packed away, the candles extinguished. But the call to follow the Star of Bethlehem, to worship the King is ever present. Help me,God, to not only search for you but be confident in the truth that You can be found.

Questions: What search have I been on in recent months? What new discoveries have I made about God?

About the Author Marilyn Ehle

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Religion Renewed, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

When my daughter was four we had an opportunity to live in England for 9 months.  It was a wonderful experience.  Our assignment was up in December so we packed up our household to ship it back to the States; packed a suitcase for each of us and headed off to Germany to visit some friends we had made during a work assignment before our daughter was born.  We celebrated an early English Christmas with our new friends in England and then celebrated an early German/American Christmas with our friends in Germany.

As it turned out, we arrived in the USA on Christmas Eve with no luggage and no rental car.   We were all very travel weary and not too happy to be “stranded” with what we had on our persons and not many options available on Christmas Eve to get some basics such as clean underwear, pajamas, etc.  The airline and motel graciously gave us toothbrushes, etc but most stores are not open on Christmas Day so we were stuck.  We had planned to take a rental car to visit my family but there were no rental cars to be had that Christmas Eve.  Somehow our reservation got lost.

We dragged our travel weary bodies to a nice hotel near the airport and decided to make the best of things.   My brother offered to come and get us but we turned down his offer not wanting to disrupt his holiday with a long road trip.

Christmas morning we treated ourselves to a nice breakfast at the hotel dining room.   On the way back to our room, I was overcome with nausea and spent the rest of the day flat in bed.

Here we were on Christmas day with no change of clothes, no family, no tree, and no gifts for my daughter.  Rather than get upset, I decided to count my blessings.   We were safe, we had just had an adventure of a lifetime, we had good food to eat, a nice place to stay and our basic needs were met.  How many people in the world would gladly change places with us at that moment?

Later that day the car rental company found a car for us, I was feeling better and the weather was just perfect for heading north so before the day was over we were able to be with my family for this special day.

I learned a valuable lesson that day.  Christmas is a special time but it isn’t about gifts, decorations and all the external things.   Christmas is realizing that Jesus came to bring us hope…not just a fleeting hope…but a genuine hope that He will work all things together for good to them who are called according to his purpose.   He promised to supply our needs and He did. What more could I need or want?

Father God,
Thank you for the promise of Your provision. Even when things don’t look hopeful help me to anticipate Your help and strength and to see Your blessings where I am today. In Your name, amen.

Questions: How do you respond when things don’t go according to plan?

About this Author: Joyce Gardenour

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, 24-Hour Faith, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

The new Cohen brothers film will debut, a documentary on Valentino will hit screens, and stars like Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway and of course Pitt and Clooney will walk on a sea of red carpet. And though I’m intrigued by the big stars and big films, its always the little films with little fanfare that hook my attention.

“Teza” by Ethiopian director Haile Gerima tells the story of an Ethiopian man, Anberber, who flees the violent upheaval of Ethiopia in the 80’s during the Marxist-endorsed “red terror”. He journeys to find a safe haven in Germany but is only horrifically stifled by racism. Unable to find his place in either world, he returns once again to East Africa, only to to witness more upheaval and be treated as a foreigner in his own land.

Autobiographical of Gerima’s life, “Teza” poignantly touches on both the character Anberber and Gerima’s struggle to tap into their only solace, childhood memories.

“I go to Ethiopia and I dream my past but the present is so powerful it continues to hijack my sentimental journey to my childhood. I think it’s the idea that you want your childhood world to come back, I think that is universal,” said Gerima.

“In Africa the luxury to remember memory is hijacked by daily violence, either silent violence or obvious violence.”

I personally find much more value in hearing a true tale like Gerimas than a fictional piece or an animated feature. It pulls you into worlds that are raw and sharp, that beg to be exposed and that demand your ignorance be put down.

Are you at all in tune with films debuting at the Venice Film Festival? What kind of films attract your attention and why?

To read more, go to: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080902/n_entertain_reuters/entertainment_venice_ethiopia_col

Image credit: bartgroe