I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…
Numbers 24:17
When did you start getting excited for Christmas this year? Perhaps it was when homes, towns and cities started putting up lights – on dark winter nights these are certainly the most visible sign that Christmas is coming soon. But the town planners had to be aware of Christmas coming much earlier, so they could prepare and be ready for these displays.
Balaam foresaw a star and gave people over a thousand years’ notice of the coming of Jesus, but by the time he arrived only a few were excited, and fewer still were ready. Jesus has told us that he is coming again soon: are you ready? Are you excited?