This Christmas we are focusing on how Jesus is the light who shines in the darkness.
He is for us
He is with us
He is amongst us
He is for us
He is with us
He is amongst us
- Pause – As you begin, pause, open your hands and be aware that God is present with you.
- Read – Read the Bible passage slowly.
Matthew 2:1-12
Visitors from the East
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
Visitors from the East
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
- Reflect – Notice what stands out. Why does it stand out? Read the reflection:
God is with us…
In our desire to ‘dress up’ our nativity plays we often throw in the odd wise man or two. This, of course, is not historically accurate on two accounts. The first is that the wise men were most likely authoritative figures from the east who also studied the stars. They believed that what happened in the night sky signalled events on earth. The second is that the wise men arrived months after ‘Christmas’ day. Perhaps the third is that they were somewhat unwise given they told a ruthless king by the name of Herod that a rival king had just been born. And yet God speaks again. He warns and the young family runs. Yes, the child is worthy of worship, but he will have to flee, like King David, for his life. However, before that, pause with the wise men and worship the king.
In our desire to ‘dress up’ our nativity plays we often throw in the odd wise man or two. This, of course, is not historically accurate on two accounts. The first is that the wise men were most likely authoritative figures from the east who also studied the stars. They believed that what happened in the night sky signalled events on earth. The second is that the wise men arrived months after ‘Christmas’ day. Perhaps the third is that they were somewhat unwise given they told a ruthless king by the name of Herod that a rival king had just been born. And yet God speaks again. He warns and the young family runs. Yes, the child is worthy of worship, but he will have to flee, like King David, for his life. However, before that, pause with the wise men and worship the king.
- Respond – Respond to God in prayer