I love Christmas traditions: Christmas shopping with my daughters, decorating cookies with our extended family, attending the Christmas Candlelight service at our church, opening one special gift on Christmas Eve, and reading the Christmas story aloud with our family.
A few years ago, as Grant was reading the Christmas Story aloud on Christmas Eve, he asked us to go around and share one of our favorite parts of the Christmas story. Each of us went around the room and shared. When it got to me – I shared that the story of the Wise men following the star was ONE of my favorite parts of the story. (Matthew 2:1-12) The entire Christmas story is filled with wonder, but this portion about the Magi is extraordinary.
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary
His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Luke 2:10 -11
Prayer Tip #49 - Jesus is worthy of our Worship
The Magi saw this special star in the east and it captured their attention so much that they stopped everything to follow it. We don't know exactly how long they traveled, but it could have been for months or years. When they finally arrived and found Jesus, they worshipped Him. This was why they had traveled so far – not to bring a baby gift, not to hold the baby, not to get a picture with the baby like we do today, but to fall down and worship Him. Jesus was not just a baby, but a King – verse 2 says “He who has been born King of the Jews.”
Most kings are not born a king, they are born a prince. But not Jesus – He was born a King- The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It was fitting for them to worship Him. He is the Son of God, like no other person ever born before. And somehow the wise men knew this.
Some believe that the wise men knew the Old Testament Scriptures because they were descendants from those Jews who had been exiled in the time of the Prophet Daniel. They were taught about the Messiah and knew that He would one day come. This is a possibility. We can’t be sure how they knew, but the Wise Men were determined to follow His star, find this “King of the Jews” and come and worship Him.
Today, we bring a cute outfit, or a baby blanket, or diapers. But not for the Messiah – for Jesus they brought treasures: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. No baby on earth had probably ever received gifts like this.
Each of these unique and special gifts represents something about Jesus:
GOLD – Gold is a rare and precious metal. In Bible times, gold was one of the chief measures of wealth. No one would come visit a king without bringing a gift to honor him. This gift represents that Jesus is King.
FRANKINCENSE – Frankincense is highly fragrant when burned and was used in worship. It was burned during times of prayer as worship as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). It is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. This gift represents that Jesus is God.
MYRRH - Myrrh is a spice often used in burial after death. In John 19:39, Jesus' body was anointed with myrrh brought by Nicodemus after His death on the cross. This gift represents that Jesus is our Sacrifice.
There's never been a King like Jesus. What gifts will you give Him that are fitting for a king? Will you give Him your worship? Will you bow before Him as the Magi did so long ago? Will you give Him your time? The Magi traveled so far and invested time to find Him. Will you give Him a treasure? The Magi brought costly treasures to lay at His feet. Will you trust Him and have faith in Him? The Magi saw the star and followed it, with faith that they would soon find the King! Without faith they would have quit many times over. Will you find your joy in Him? That's what the Magi did - they were filled with joy at seeing the star because the star led them to Jesus.
Prayer Points - (Pray over these requests)
Lord, I humbly worship You as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Lord, I bow before You because you are worthy of my worship.
Jesus, I want to find my joy in You. Help me to get the greatest pleasure from being in Your presence and in Your Word.
God, I thank You for sending Jesus to earth as the greatest Christmas gift ever given. Help me to honor Him with my life, time, words, and treasures.
Suggested Prayer - (Pray these words in your heart or out loud):
Father God,
I come before you in Jesus' Name and I thank you for the gift of Your Son on Christmas Day. It is an honor to be called a daughter of the King, and I humbly worship You. You are the true King above every king. You alone sit on the throne of my life and you reign over all the earth. I pray that my life will reflect your glory. I pray that I can find Joy in your presence and the blessings you have given me. Jesus, I praise You for not only being our King, but our Sacrifice that purchased our peace with God. Thank you for giving us the gift of Christmas and the joy and happiness that this season brings.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.