Some Christmas Wisdom

Matthew 2:1-11

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him… After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh.”

I think it’s wonderful that God in His providence included the story of the wise men in the Scripture. Their voyage from the Far East provides a great example to us during the days of Christmas.

These men certainly gave gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child… but behind those gifts were some others that we should also consider giving to Jesus this Christmas season.

They gave their focus

“After Jesus’ birth, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking, `Where is the child born to be king of the Jews?  We observed His star rising and have come to worship Him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

It’s almost too obvious to state and its repeated every year- but we become so busy with the things that surround Christmas, that we miss its true message. It’s a great irony that so many people in our world make Christmas such a big deal, but the core of the meaning of Jesus’ birth gets overlooked.

I once saw a cartoon where a little boy was standing in front of Jesus and said, “It’s tough having my birthday at Christmas time because everyone forgets it’s my birthday.” Jesus replied, “I know exactly what you mean.”

Thankfully, we have a church that helps remind us of what this time of year is all about. My encouragement to you is to not lose focus and with a determined heart not allow the pressures and expectations surrounding Christmas to push out the amazing “God is with us” message.

Through the prophet Jeremiah God states, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

Will you give Jesus your focus this Christmas?

They gave their worship

“And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.”    Matthew 2:10-11

Rejoicing. Joy. Bowing. Worship. These are the verbs in this text and the ones that should accompany our Christmas season as well. Yet, more often our verbs are more like: Grumbling. Rushing. Running. Shopping.

Christmas is not really Christmas without heartfelt worship. My encouragement to you is to make your worship different this time around. Get out of the rut a bit! When in church, stop in your mind and heart; say a prayer “Lord, thank you that Jesus came for me. I worship you for this gift.” We worship at church, but often not at home. Sit by your tree one night in the silence, consider God’s gifts to you- pray, sing, read the Bible, and love the Lord in your heart. Also, you can worship the Lord by looking for an opportunity to bless someone or encourage them. With no strings attached, give to them in some way and afterwards pray to the Lord, “God, that was all for you.”

Will you give Jesus your worship this Christmas?

They gave their very best

"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 and of incense and of myrrh." Matthew 2:11

I love the movie “The Nativity”. Our family watches it every year on the night before Christmas Eve. The movie ends with the wise men there at the manger. Every year I am deeply moved at the portrayal of these men who came from so far away and now, after finding the baby, they stand in awe and wonder. They each present their gifts as an act of worship before the newborn King… and each gift was costly.

Focusing on Christ and worshipping Him translates into a response not only of our hearts, but our lives. Often we feel the glory and wonder of Jesus, and that’s where it stays… a warm feeling. Allow the love and passion that you feel at Christmas to move you to give back to God all that you are and the best that you are.

We claim that we serve a giving and excellent God. Yet, we offer him our leftovers and our second best?

Determine that in 2013 Christ will have all of you: your time, your money, your attitude, your relationships, your job, and your talents. Give to Him that which is costly to you. Anything that we give to God that costs us nothing is not really a gift. And it’s certainly not a gift that reflects what the wise men gave… or the gift of God that He gave through Jesus, which cost Him His Son... or the gift of Jesus to us, which cost Him everything.

Will you give Jesus your very best this Christmas?