I hope everyone had a peaceful and joyful Advent and Christmas season in celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus, the Christ!
Have you ever had fun with a Where’s Waldo photo illustration? It’s a series of children’s books created by the English illustrator Martin Handford. The books consist of a series of detailed double-page spread illustrations depicting dozens or more people doing a variety of amusing things at a given location. Readers are challenged to find a character named Wally (Waldo) hidden in the group. Wally’s distinctive red-and-white-striped shirt, bobble hat, and glasses make him slightly easier to recognize, but many illustrations contain red herrings involving deceptive use of red-and-white striped objects. Later entries in the long-running book series added other targets for readers to find in each illustration. The books have also inspired a TV show, comic strip, and a series of video games.
In our lesson this Sunday from the gospel of Luke Chapter 2:41-52 instead of asking “Where’s Waldo” we might ask; “Where’s Jesus?” In our story he’s lost in the crowd going to Jerusalem for the Passover. He’s only 12 years old and his parents have no clue where to find him. Can you believe they have lost the Son of God? How did this happen? Where is he? Will they find him?
Come and worship with us this Sunday as you hear the message titled: “Finding Jesus.” You may or may not be surprised where He is found or what he is up to in the story. Frankly, Jesus is a lot easier to find than Waldo. Jesus doesn’t play hide and seek with us. He is right where He is supposed to be “in his Father’s house.”
Lastly, it’s my hope after the service today you will be inspired or challenged to make “finding Jesus” more of a priority in your life as we start the New Year.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave