TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. Matthew 2:11
Read: Matthew 2:1-12
Listen: Matthew 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Our spotlight settles next on a caravan, unlike no other, on the road to Canaan. Most caravans traded goods from one country to another. This caravan carries astrologers from Persia or southern Arabia. They are not looking to trade but are looking for a very small child. These astrologers, the Maji, are looking for Jesus.
Guided by what was probably a supernatural star, they find the child Jesus with his mother, Mary. Recognizing that this is who they traveled for months to see, they present to Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts are worthy of a king, and the Maji bow down to worship Jesus. They’re in the presence of the Creator God wrapped in the garments of a first-century child.
On this Christmas Eve, we also bow in humility before the Creator God in human form. The Apostle Paul, decades after the Maji’s visit, describes what they saw, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
May you sense some of what the Maji experience as you listen to “O Come, O Come, Emmanual” by The Piano Guys. Allow the lyrics to fill your heart with worship this Christmas Eve, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
