Look Out!

Suggested Bible Reading
He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
-Luke 12:54-56 (NRSV)

Today's Scripture

The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
-Isaiah 7:14 (NRSV)

SIGNS are all around us and influence all aspects of our life. Traffic signs help us travel safely from one place to another. Warning signs such as on high-voltage power lines are meant to keep us safe. We see many signs in nature, such as the budding of the leaves that indicates spring is coming, or the tasseling of the cornstalk that indicates the crops are growing. Geese flying high in the sky in a southerly direction indicate that winter is on the way.


We use these and many other signs to live our everyday life. But do we stop, look, and listen for the signs that God sends our way? Most of us do not - or else we see the signs but act on only those we feel comfortable with.


This Christmas and every year, God comes to us. In fact, that's what Immanuel means: God is with us. May we open our hearts, eyes, and ears to the signs from Immanuel, "God-with-us. "

Douglas Grissom (Texas, USA)

Prayer
Dear Immanuel, open our minds and hearts to your signs to us that we may do your work in this world. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Look around for signs of God-with-us. What do you see?

Prayer Focus
Those needing a sign from God