Well…Christmas Day is over and it is time to move on toward 2017.
But wait! The affects of Christmas can last all year long!
As I begin to put away the celebration decorations, I must be careful not to pack Jesus into one of those storage boxes which go into the attic. I choose to keep the Christ child close at hand all year long.
Remember the Magi from the original Christmas story? (Think “We Three Kings”) They were an interesting group of scholars from the East who traveled long distances to see the baby Jesus. After studying the scriptures they had a good idea when and where the birth of the Messiah was to take place.
Their first stop in the region was to seek counsel from King Herod to pinpoint the exact location of this historic birth. Crafty Herod, filled with jealousy, led the Magi to believe he, too, wanted to find this future King in order to give him homage and worship.
After receiving Herod’s “blessing and encouragement” they were off on the last leg of their long journey. They finally found Jesus with mom and dad in Bethlehem just as the scriptures had predicted.
Then things got interesting. They…
(1) worshiped Him, and (2) presented Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. No doubt, it was a sweet time in the presence of their Lord.
Through all their planning and preparations they probably had an idea for an “order of worship”. However, in the moment, I am sure they were filled with gratitude and joy which led to spontaneous expressions of heart-felt praise and authentic worship.
Worship changes people.
I was recently made aware of an intriguing end to the Magi’s story. I knew that God had warned them about Herod’s real plan and that they changed routes for their return home. But the suggestion to me was when the Bible says (in Matthew 2:12) that
“…they departed for their own country another way”
the “way” was referring not so much to a changed route but changed hearts. They left Bethlehem different people than when they arrived.
May my times of worshiping Christ be genuine, heart-felt and life changing.
Merry Christmas!
byf8h 