Christmas Devotional: 21st December 2020
I wonder what it is that comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘worship’. Perhaps it’s a memory of those joyous pre-Covid evening services when we’d all cram into St Oswald’s to sing our hearts out and leave sweating from our enthusiasm. Or perhaps it’s something quieter: a secluded space to spend time in awe of your Father. I’d guess, though, it wouldn’t be embarking on a 800 mile pilgrimage to find a little baby in a stable and present him with gifts. And yet, that’s exactly the worship we see modelled by the wise men in this passage.
We read in verse 2 that the wise men, assured of Jesus’ status as the ‘king of the Jews’, have planned to come and ‘pay him homage’- or ‘worship’ – him (verse 2). These are men who have travelled for miles to bow down and acknowledge him for who he is. Their worship doesn’t stop at reverence though. When they reached the place beneath the star, they were ‘overwhelmed’ with joy (verse 10). Another translation puts it emphatically: ‘they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy’ (ESV). Imagine the open-mouthed awe and tangible elation when they got there – finally they’ve made it! They fall on their knees and worship him.
Worship is more than just acknowledgement of Jesus as Messiah – even Herod knows who he is – or bowing down in reverence. Worship encompasses wonder, adoration and sacrifice. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were costly to them. Jesus demands sacrifice not because he is greedy but because he deserves it. Jesus inspires us to give because he lovingly longs for us to step into closer intimacy with the Father. What might God be asking you to lay down in order to intensify your devotion and enjoy Jesus more?
The wise men aren’t the only people in the passage who are interested in Jesus’ birth. Herod is equally in ‘search for the child’ but for a very different reason (verse 13). He is aware of who Jesus is – he calls him the ‘Messiah’ – and is threatened that the long-awaited King of Kings has come to disrupt his earthly power (verse 4). Jesus’ birth is joyful, worship-inspiring news to those who welcome him but offensive news to those who worship themselves. While we may not be about to commit infanticide this advent season, I think there are temptations to be as self-centred as Herod. Are there places in your life where you are crowning something other than Jesus as Lord of your life? Jesus longs to reveal to you – again and again – who he is and how he can bring peace and comfort when you exalt him as Messiah.
Pray with me: ‘Lord, I come to you as I am – with nothing to offer. Thank you that you welcome me with open arms and ask for the simple gift of my life. Help me to recover my wonder at Jesus’ incarnation. Soften my heart to be willing to sacrificially worship you. Holy Spirit, where I’m tempted to be offended like Herod by this radical news of Jesus the King, would you lead me back to a posture of bowing down in adoration of my saviour.’