“The Visit of the Magi”

Matthew 2:1-12

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.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child.  As soon as you find Him, report to me so that I too may go and worship 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.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The fourth candle of Advent symbolizes Love.  God’s love is so powerfully illustrated in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ.  His love is so vivid in the humility of Christ to leave glory to come in flesh to save the world.  His love is so deep in knowing that He came as a baby not to live only, but to die as a sacrifice for our sin.  As the Magi are remembered for bringing gifts to Jesus, let us never forget that the real gift of Christmas is the loving gift of Jesus.

Advent Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for seeking to remove Your presence and influence from our lives today.  We confess our rebellion against Your absolute sovereign lordship, and ask that You would create instead a deep desire for You to rule over us.  Enable us to delight in this little child who is now the King of kings, and to show our love for Him through our obedience.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Bible Readings

These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah.  Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.

Monday, December 21, 2009
Luke 1:39-56—Elizabeth and Mary

Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Luke 2:1-20—The Birth of Jesus

Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Luke 2:21-38—Presentation in the Temple

Thursday, December 24, 2009
Colossians 1:15-23—The Pre-eminent Christ

Friday, December 25, 2009
Revelation 5:1-14—Worthy Is the Lamb

Saturday, December 26, 2009
Revelation 21:1-7—The New Heaven and New Earth

“The Shepherds and the Angels”

Luke 2:8-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The third candle of Advent is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the Advent of the Christ.  Joy is a non-circumstantial reality in the life of the believer.  It is based in our hope in Jesus Christ.  That joy is never more real than in our remembrance of Christ’s coming as a baby to “seek and save the lost,” and in the hope of His ever present return to take his people home to glory.

Advent Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

There is a lot about Your birth and life we do not understand, but we understand enough to be amazed just as the shepherds were.  Forgive us for not marveling more at such a gift; for not pondering this great message in our hearts.  Help us to remember You.  And help us to notice somebody who needs to be told about Your love today.  Give us the courage to spread the Word.  For the sake of Christ’s kingdom we pray.  Amen.

Bible Readings

These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah.  Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.

Monday, December 14, 2009
Jeremiah 23:5-6—A Righteous Branch

Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Micah 5:2—A Ruler over Israel

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Zechariah 9:9-10—Your King is Coming

Thursday, December 17, 2009
Malachi 3:1—The Messenger is Sent

Friday, December 18, 2009
Luke 1:1-25—The Birth of John Foretold

Saturday, December 19, 2009
Luke 1:26-38—The Announcement to Mary