Devotions this week based on Come Home Week 2 – HEART (WATCH HERE)
Jaraslov Vajda penned in his hymn, “Where shepherds lately knelt, I come in half-belief…”
We know the shepherd’s reaction to the angels’ announcement of the birth of Jesus was fear. Once the fear was calmed and the message was heard, their hearts had curiosity. “Let’s go see this thing…which the Lord has told us about.”
The Lord’s word which came through the angelic messengers compelled the hearts of the shepherds to go find the baby “wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
Were their hearts fully convinced?
Were their hearts fully prepared?
Was the fear in their hearts totally gone?
Perhaps not.
But they came. They came to the manger to find the one who was “Christ, the Lord.”
For years they and their ancestors had been waiting for the promises of Isaiah and the other prophets to be fulfilled. Perhaps the “half-belief” was simply the fact that they could not believe that THEY were the ones that get to experience first-hand the culmination of the Spirit’s prophetic work.
For years there was speaking of spiritual healing and the end to “warfare” over sin and its consequence. Perhaps the “half-belief” was the consideration that this baby lying in the manger WAS the comfort and ultimate victor over sin.
For years there was a desire to ensure the scales of justice with the Lord would be balanced by the good works of mankind over the grace of God. Perhaps the “half-belief” was the reality that the greatest work this child came to do was to have his hands pierced with the nails we deserved.
For years there was the promise of a King greater than David who would rule on his throne forever. Perhaps the “half-belief” was the discrepancy between the vision of a palace and the reality of a manger which held the promised King.
Maybe your heart echos the “half-belief” Vajda surmised the shepherds had. Maybe your heart has doubts, fears, uncertainties and things that you feel are incongruent with how you think God should show up in your life.
But the very one in the manger invites us to come home, even in “half-belief.” He calls our hearts to curiosity to know more about who he is. He calls our heart to certainty as he fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah and more. He calls our heart to peace as he is called “Jesus,” the one who saves us from our sin. He calls our “half-belief” to full belief that he is our Savior…your Savior; our King…your King; our Comfort…your Comfort.
Christmas is not about arriving full of faith. It’s about coming with what you have and leaving with what Jesus gives.
The shepherds returned, “glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard.” Their “half-belief” changed to “full-belief” when they were home at the manger.
The same will happen for you.
Apply: What part of my faith feels “half” right now? What truth of Christmas might move the “half” to “full”?
Prayer: Lord, I come as I am. Even if my faith is weak, I trust You to hold me. Draw me close this Christmas. Amen.