By Sami Gelaecha
Site Director, Mosaic South Austin

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Matthew 2:10

When I was 11 years old, one of my older brothers promised to get me a new gaming system called the Tutor 2000 computer, which everyone at my school coveted. From that moment on, I made it my mission to remind him to pick it up on his way home every day. Whenever my brother came home from work, I would eagerly look at his hands and ask if he had it with him. But for what felt like an eternity, he always came home empty-handed. And when he did bring something home, it was usually bananas.

Then, one Friday, my brother came home as usual—but this time, he was with another brother, who was in college. In typical older brother fashion, he told me he didn’t have the game, and handed the box off to my college brother, knowing I wouldn’t check his hands. As the disappointment started to settle in, they both laughed and handed me the gaming system. I was overjoyed! I ran around the house, hugging everyone and anyone I could find. I was crying, laughing, and even went outside to hug the dogs (who weren’t used to that). My joy was overflowing! The wait was finally over.

In Matthew 2:10, when the Magi finally arrived at their destination, I can only imagine the kind of joy they must have felt after such a long journey. They had followed the star for so many miles, trusting it to guide them. And now they were near the child they had traveled so far to see. For the Magi, the wait was finally over. They had arrived, and their hearts overflowed with joy.

For the world, too, the arrival of Jesus is the arrival of joy—an eternal gift given to all. Just as my wait for the Tutor 2000 computer ended in a burst of happiness, the Christmas season reminds us that the greatest gift, the gift of Jesus, has been given to us. This gift of love and hope brings joy not just for a moment but for a lifetime. In this season of Christmas, may we all experience that same overflowing joy, knowing that the wait has ended and the greatest gift has arrived.

Pray with me:
Jesus thank you for coming to earth so that we may have joy. Thank you, God, for giving us the gift of your son. We love you!

Amen.