Have you ever seen the wonder, In the glimmer of first sight, As the eyes begin to open, And the blindness meets the light.

If you have so, say - I see the world in light. I see the world in wonder. I see the world in life, Bursting in living color.

I see the world your way, And I’m walking in the light. Have you ever seen the wonder, In the air of second life, Having come out of the waters, With the old one left behind.

If you have so, say - I see the world in grace. I see the world in gospel. I see the world your way, And I’m walking in the light. I’m walking in the wonder.

 

(Matthew 1:18–24 NIV)  This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son in his way. – Psalm 37

 

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home.  He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was now obviously pregnant.  And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger…

 

#1 – a Walk of Significance

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. – Eph 2

 

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby…

 

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the Lord’s glory surrounded them…

 

The angel said, “I bring good news that will bring great joy…The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem…and you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger…

 

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of other—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 

…the shepherds said to each other “Let’s go to Bethlehem!  Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby…in the manger.

 

#2 If We STEP Toward God…it’s a WALK AWAY

 

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example, and you must follow in HIS STEPS. – 1 Peter 2

 

After this interview the wise men went their way.  And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem.  It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!  They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts…

 

#3 If we walk with God --- it’s a Straight Walk

 

(Proverbs 4:10) …listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.”

Here’s our Question --- How’s Your Walk?