Day 10 - Did you look with your eyes open?

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"9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him."

John 1:9-10 (NIV)

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As a kid, I would often get asked to go and fetch things for Mum and Dad. One of the most common things I would be asked to find is Mum's glasses. I would often run upstairs to the bedroom, look high and low and not see them. Then run back downstairs and tell her I couldn't find them. She would tell me that they were there. "Were you looking with your eyes open or shut?" I would then run back upstairs and search even harder for the glasses. Usually, I would have to repeat this again - still being unable to see them. Eventually, Mum or Dad would come upstairs and rather annoyingly go straight to them!

In these verses of John we see the love of God expressed in human terms. God's love gives love to everyone. His love was coming to be among us. Love was amongst us, even though we get our love from the Lord, we did not recognise Love for who He was. Much like the Specsavers adverts "Should've gone to Specsavers". We struggled to see Him for who He was. We turned our backs, and we all know the story of Easter.

How frustrating must it have been for God, as a parent, wanting to ask us "are you looking with your eyes open?". I imagine, the same could be said for Christians of today. Many people seem to brush off Christmas, even when questioned what the holiday would be if there was no Christ in 'Christ'mas. We can find ourselves wanting to ask them the very same question. But, I wonder, how many have gone looking for Christ and haven't seen Him? Much like when I was looking for Mum's glasses. The 'busy'ness. The panic. The increasing frustration. Where is God? I just can't see Him! He mustn't be here. I'll have to do this by myself. And turn away from God. The thing is, were you looking with your eyes open or were they closed? Did you not really want to see Him there? Did you pretend to look?

This Christmas, might I suggest that we need to approach it with our eyes wide open. Ready for the coming of the Lord. Ready for what He has in store for your life. So I wonder today, how's your eyesight?

Reflect today: Do you feel distracted this advent season? What can you do today to get rid of that distraction and turn your eyes to Him? How can you make sure that your actions point to Him this Christmas?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

His Word shall not fail you, He promised; Believe Him and all will be well; Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

Amen