Have you ever been outside and heard a strange buzzing overhead? You stop, squint at the sky, and wonder, “Is it a bird? A plane? No… it’s a drone.”
Recently in New Jersey, mysterious drones have been flying overhead, and no one knows where they’re from or what they’re doing. Homeland Security is baffled. People step outside, looking up, searching for answers.
There’s something about the unexpected above us that captures our attention. It’s hard to ignore when the sky feels alive with mystery. Whether it’s a drone, a meteor shower, or a star that shines brighter than the rest, we find ourselves pausing—looking up—trying to figure out what’s going on.
And isn’t that often how life works? We’re head down, focused on the here and now—our to-do lists, struggles, achievements—until something interrupts us. Something makes us stop and look up.
That’s what happened on the first Christmas. God broke into ordinary lives and made people look up. Some saw angels. Some saw a star. But all of them saw a Savior.
In Luke 2 and Matthew 2, we meet two very different groups of people: the shepherds and the Magi. They couldn’t have been more opposite, yet God reached both of them and made them lift their eyes. And through their stories, we learn something profound about God: He knows exactly how to get our attention.
God Made the Lowly Look Up
Let’s start with the shepherds. Picture this: a cold, quiet night in the fields outside Bethlehem. The sky is dark, the sheep are asleep, and a group of shepherds are pulling the night shift. These weren’t well-respected men. Shepherding was tough, dirty, and thankless work. They were social outsiders, often ignored and dismissed.
But then everything changed. Luke 2:9 says, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” One moment it was dark and ordinary. The next, the sky exploded with light. Heaven broke into their reality, and they looked up.
The angel told them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
“To you.” Think about that.
The greatest news in history was delivered not to kings or priests, but to shepherds. God didn’t just see them—He chose them. And in that moment, their ordinary lives became extraordinary.
The shepherds didn’t hesitate. They hurried off to Bethlehem, found the baby Jesus, and worshiped Him. Then they spread the news, glorifying and praising God.
Why? Because when God breaks through your darkness and invites you to look up, it changes everything. The shepherds remind us that no one is too lowly or insignificant for God’s love. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unimportant, or stuck in the daily grind, their story is for you. God knows where you are, and He knows how to make you look up.
God Made the Lofty Look Up
Now, let’s talk about the Magi. These men were nothing like the shepherds. They were scholars, astrologers, and men of influence—likely from Persia or Babylon. They had status, wealth, and education. They were respected for their wisdom and knowledge.
Yet for all their success, they were still searching. When they saw a mysterious star appear in the sky, they knew it wasn’t random. It was a sign. Matthew 2:2 tells us they arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
The star led them first to Jerusalem, where they learned from the Jewish Scriptures that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Then, they continued their journey. Finally, the star stopped over the place where Jesus was. Matthew 2:11 describes the moment: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
It’s a stunning scene. These powerful, educated men—men used to being honored—bowed low before a child. They brought Him gifts fit for a king. Their wisdom didn’t lead to pride; it led to worship.
Why did God choose to reach the Magi? Because no one is too lofty to need a Savior. The shepherds remind us that no one is too lowly, but the Magi show us that no one is too successful, too knowledgeable, or too accomplished to need Jesus.
Maybe you’ve achieved a lot in life. You’re respected, comfortable, and have everything you thought you wanted—but you’re still searching. Like the Magi, you’ve realized that success doesn’t satisfy the deepest questions of the soul. Their story is for you. God knows how to place a star in your path, something to guide you and make you look up.
The Gospel Reaches Everyone
When we compare the shepherds and the Magi, the contrast couldn’t be clearer. The shepherds were poor, local, and overlooked. The Magi were wealthy, distant, and respected. One group needed a dramatic angelic announcement to get their attention. The other followed a subtle star across hundreds of miles.
Yet both groups ended up at the feet of Jesus.
This isn’t a coincidence. It’s a picture of the gospel. God’s love isn’t limited to one kind of person. It reaches the lowly and the lofty, the forgotten and the famous, the near and the far. Jesus came for everyone.
In fact, this is what makes the Christmas story so powerful. God doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. He knows how to reach you personally. He knows whether you need something dramatic, like the shepherds, or something quiet and steady, like the Magi’s star.
The question is, how will you respond?
What About You?
Maybe you’re like the shepherds. You feel unseen, stuck, or weighed down by life. You’re wondering if God even notices you. Let me tell you—He does. He knows where you are, and He’s inviting you to look up and see Him.
Or maybe you’re more like the Magi. You’ve achieved much, but you’re still searching for something more. That “star” in your life—whether it’s a question, a moment of clarity, or an unexpected conversation—might be God calling you to follow Him.
The shepherds left their fields and found Jesus. The Magi left their comforts and found Him, too. What about you?
Look Up This Year
As we close, think about how millions of people will gather in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. They’ll lift their eyes as the ball drops, dreaming of a fresh start and a better year. But what if, this year, you looked higher?
Not just at the ball descending on a flagpole, but at the Savior who descended from heaven to rescue you.
The Christmas story reminds us that God can use anything to make us look up—a star, an angel, or even this moment right now. And when we do, we find Him waiting. He’s the Savior who brings lasting hope, unshakable peace, and deep joy to all who seek Him.
Don’t miss this chance to respond. Lift your eyes, look to Jesus, and let Him change your life—not just for the year ahead, but for all eternity.
Comentarios