Nancy Hughes: The sign

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:12 (NIV)

My niece and her family went to an amusement park a few years ago for one last getaway before school started. Her youngest, Ty, went to the restroom as the rest of the family waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. Finally she sent her older son in to find out what was going on. He found younger brother standing by the sinks.

“What are you doing, Ty?” he asked. “I’m waiting,” Ty answered. “For what?” his older brother asked. Ty pointed to the sign above the sinks. It read “Employees must wash hands before leaving.” “I’m waiting for someone to come wash my hands so I can leave.” he replied.

The most important sign of all is found in Luke 2:12 as we read about the birth of Jesus. Shepherds were keeping an eye on their flocks of sheep one evening, probably thinking of sleep as they watched for wolves. Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and sharing that the Savior had been born.

I am willing to bet that not one shepherd said “I’m not sure what just happened. But it was cool. Now, back to work.” Had they done that, they would have missed completely the birth of their Savior and the opportunity to worship Him.

Instead, they hurried to find Mary and Joseph and the baby (verse 16) so they could not only worship Him but share what had occurred with everyone they came in contact with. (verse 17) What about you and me? “This will be a sign to you . . .” What are we going to do with this Scripture in our lives?

It is so easy to get distracted by “signs” in this world. “Turn here” or “No speeding” or “Cell Phones Off” or “Keep to the right.” In other words, the everyday routines that we all have in our lives. Are they important for what we are doing every day? Sure. But not important for eternity.

The most important sign of all was given to us by God the Father, wrapped in a covering of cloths and love. His name? Jesus. Emmanuel. Lord of All. Savior. Redeemer. Bright and Morning Star. Holy One. Healer.

Don’t allow yourself to get so distracted with everyday life that you miss the most important Sign of all.

Father, thank you for sending us your Son as a beautiful sign of your love and mercy and forgiveness. I praise you for showing us you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Have you ever completely misread a sign in a building or on the highway?

Were you distracted by other things to cause you to misread it?

Apply

Journal signs that you see around you every day.

Write down Scriptures of hope on sticky notes and place those “signs” around your home to remind you of the most import Sign of all.

Power

2:12 (NIV) “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Isaiah 7:11 (NIV) “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

John 12:37 (NIV) “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.”