Back to the Manger
I heard a story recently about a mother who was running furiously from store to store on Christmas Eve to get those last-minute gifts. Suddenly, she realizes she had lost track of her little three-year-old son. In a panic, she retraced her steps and found her little guy with his nose pressed up against a frosty window, gazing at a manger scene. When he heard his mother shout out his name, he said, “Mommy, mommy look it’s the baby Jesus in the hay.” The stressed-out mom grabbed him and jerked him away saying, “We don’t have time for that. Can’t you see mommy is trying to get ready for Christmas?” This is how it can be during the Christmas season. In all the clutter of Christmas we forget about the Christ of Christmas. We all need the reminder to come back to the manger of Bethlehem, and Christmas will come alive to you.
The Christmas season is all about worship. Man’s ultimate purpose in life is not to attain success or fame or even happiness. Rather, man’s ultimate purpose in life is to know the God who made him. Until we enter into that relationship, we fall short of the truth of this Christmas season. This baby Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God that grew up and died a horrific death for all mankind. This is the same Jesus that the ages longed to see. The same Jesus who was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Revelation 4:11 shows us the ceaseless worship the four living creatures are bringing before Jesus, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
We are created to know and please God. Everybody worships something. Certainly, we don’t all worship the true God in heaven. But everyone, no matter who they are, worships someone or something. Human beings are hardwired for that, and can’t get away from it. Some people worship people they know, celebrities, possessions, or even themselves. Every person everywhere worships even atheists, agnostics, and skeptics. Everyone worships something. The question is not if…the question is what do they worship?
The wise men were true worshipers. As the wise men set out from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, they saw the star and “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10). They saw the star and were filled with exuberant excitement. The wise men traveled at least 800 to 1,000 miles for one reason, to worship. Matthew’s account of the birth of Christ clearly shows us two very different types of people and their responses. There were those that “got it” and others that just completely missed it. There are the true worshipers and those that were false worshipers.
The wise men were true worshipers. They were schooled in astronomy and astrology and yet, did not find the answers they were looking for in life and in their cultic practices. But it is apparent that they were seeking the truth. “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11). They came bringing unusual gifts to this child. They brought gold for a Mighty King. They brought frankincense fit for a Ministering Priest to lift the sweet sacrifice of incense. The wise men brought myrrh for an Incomparable Prophet. Surely, Joseph and Mary took note that myrrh is to cover the smell of a dead body of a martyred Prophet. A most unusual gift to give a new mother. (Note: King, Priest, and Prophet)
The wise men were true worshipers that serve as examples for us to emulate this Christmas season. Eight Characteristics of the Wise Men’s Worship:
- Their Worship Was Intentional: ( 2) – These men came to Jerusalem for the sole purpose of worship. Worship was why they left their homeland. Worship was why they brought their treasure. Worship was why they journeyed. Worship was at the heart of everything we see them do in this passage. They had their hearts set on coming before the Lord Jesus to worship Him.
- Their Worship Was an Act of Their Wills: (v. 2) They determined in their hearts that they would worship Him. No one forced them to leave home and family to travel across the desert to find Jesus.
- Their Worship Was Personal: ( 2, 9-11) They did not allow others to do their worshiping for them. These men involved self in the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Look what they did: they came from a great distance; they came by faith; they rejoiced when they found Him; they humbled themselves before Him; and they willingly lavished their gifts upon Him. Their worship involved self, and they involved all the self they possessed in their worship!
- Their Worship Was Confrontational: ( 3) Not everyone was pleased by the worship of the wise men. We are told that Herod was “troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Herod thought, that since he was king, he should be worshiped. These men didn’t bow down to Herod! He was troubled by the that wise men had come to town to worship another King. The wise men did not come to town to worship Herod. They did not come to worship in the Temple. They came for one purpose, and that purpose was to bow themselves at the feet of a Baby. Not just any Baby, but a Baby Who is the Eternal God. A Baby Who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- Their Worship Was Emotional: ( 10-11) When these men arrived at the place where they would find Jesus, they were overcome with emotion. The phrase, “rejoiced with exceeding great joy” has the idea of exuberant excitement! Can you see them shouting, jumping, laughing, crying and hugging? They were filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing Jesus.
- Their Worship Was Effectual: ( 3-8, 12) Their worship influenced Herod, Jerusalem and the scribes. It caused them to think about the things of God once more. It caused them to search the Scriptures. It influenced the wise men and their relationship with God. They were brought into a place of closeness and intimacy through their worship.
- Their Worship Was Relational: ( 2, 9) Their worship was guided by God and based on their relationship with Him. They gave Him worship because they were walking with Him. They gave Him worship because they were following His plan. They gave Him worship out of obedience to Him.
- Their Worship Was Sacrificial: When these men came to worship, they did not worship “conveniently”. Their worship cost them something. Their worship was a sacrifice of praise to Jesus.
These wise men had true hearts of worship. Does your life represent a person that is a true worshiper of the Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God this Christmas season? Has Jesus been crowded out by a busy schedule? The heart of authentic worship is living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Our singing and public prayer are but the outward manifestations of a life lived daily for the glory of God. If Christmas means thankful heartfelt praise and the openhanded yielding of your life to Immanuel, then this Christmas will not disappoint you and never let you down. Others may not experience God’s Christmas presence, but you will. And you’ll find it fresh and new every year of your life.