Christmas and Calling
12/5/25 Rob Genin-YBL Executive Director
A five-part advent reflection from YBL
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. During that season, reflecting on the lives and stories that intersect with the birth of Jesus can help us to see how God wraps the extraordinary into our ordinary work. We will look at five stories during advent and consider what they can teach us about Christmas and our Calling. Today, let’s consider the Magi.
The magi were wise men and kingmakers. They came from the east, probably modern-day Iran/Iraq. They served as advisors to royalty in their country.
When the Magi saw a unique star appear in the heavens, It was the sign of a new and important king. This sign led them to leave their country and spend months crossing the desert in search of answers. They went to the palace in Jerusalem, where they expected to find a king. But he was not there. They followed the star to Bethlehem, a little shepherd village in Israel.
When they found Jesus, they honored him as a king and presented him with gifts fit for a king. They worshipped him and then returned to their country.
A Few Observations
1. The Magi stopped their regular work because they wanted to meet the king.
2. They used the gifts and wisdom of their work to find the king.
3. They were surprised to find the king in a humble place!
4. They offered the riches earned from their work to honor the king.
Making it Personal
At Christmas, we have time to reflect on who the king is in our lives. Is it Jesus?
Are we searching for Jesus like the Magi, using our skills and work in service to Him?
At Christmas, instead of getting dragged into the commercial haze, can we recognize the gift Jesus is to us? Born in a humble way, He is the king given to redeem us – to transform our hearts and restore us to God. That is a work worth stopping to think about during Advent!
Like the Magi, God is weaving an extraordinary story in your life…. Wherever you are working – at home or in the marketplace, you have a chance to engage with Jesus today. At YBL, we’d love to help you do that. May God bless you this advent season with the best joy He has to give!