There is nothing in this world that can truly satisfy the longing of our souls. "All is vanity," says the Preacher. "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after the wind." If we hope to find lasting contentment and total peace, we must look to One beyond this world.

When the wise men (or magi) arrive in Jerusalem, the ask, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" These pagan astronomers had seen a sign in the stars that revealed a new king had been born. They came to pay homage to this newborn king. And when they found Jesus in Bethlehem, they fell to their knees to worship Him. Jesus came not only to be the king of the Jews, but to be the king of all who would surrender to His authority and reign in their lives. We must consider how we have responded to Jesus as our king.

After Jesus is born, an angel appears to shepherds watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem. This angel announces, " For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." The child born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem was send by God to save His people from their sins.

When Joseph finds out that his betrothed is with child, he plans to divorce her quietly. That is, until he's visited by an angel in a dream who reveals the truth. The child in Mary's womb is from the Holy Spirit. While recording this story, Matthew reveals that this child fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah. He is Immanuel, God with us.

During the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel not only tells Mary to name the child she will bear Jesus, which mean "God is salvation," but he also explains that this child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit, making Him the Son of the Most High, the Son of God.

God called Jonah to do hard things: Preach to the Ninevites. But Jonah was afraid, so he tried to run away. By God's grace, he was spared from death and given a second chance. He was going to do the hard things that God had called him to do.

Despite being a murderer who ran from his guilt, Moses was called by God to do hard things. He was called to face his past, to confront Pharaoh, and to lead God's people out of bondage. This was no small task and God wasn't satisfied with Moses' excuses. God would provide everything Moses needed to be successful; he simply has to trust Him.

Abraham was one of the first people God called to do hard things. Abraham had to prove his faith by leaving his family and following God into a foreign land. Faith is not idle, it requires action. It often requires us to make sacrifices, but God is with us when we do.

In this parable, all the father wants is a relationship with his sons. Of course, the father of this parable represents God our Father who greatly loves us. All He wants from us is to love Him in return.

While the younger son gets lost in sin, the elder son is lost in righteousness. He cares little for the Father and is only obedient because of what he can get. God wants us to obey Him because we love Him, not because of what we can get from Him.