Worship Christ, the Newborn King!

Christmas is two days away!

It’s easy to get caught up in all of the Christmas traditions and to-do lists. I recently saw a social media post that said Christmas is a day for no plans just PJs, food, presents, movies, and naps. While I think a cozy “Pajama Day” sounds pretty good, I think it misses the true purpose of Christmas.

I have been thinking about the wise men this year. The wise men saw a wondrous star in the sky. One they had never seen before. Brighter than all the others. They researched the star finding that the star proclaimed the birth of a King, and since it was a king, they decided that Jerusalem would be the first place to look.

When they arrived, they asked King Herod, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

Of course, King Herod was not happy to hear this news (Matthew 2:3). He ordered his priests and scribes tell him where the child would be born (Matthew 2:4). Searching the Scriptures, they read Micah’s prophecy that a king would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He gave the wise men instructions wrapped with a lie as “he sent them to Bethlehem” saying, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also” (Matthew 2:8). They continued to follow the star until they reached the house where the star stood above announcing the birth of the Savior (Matthew 2:9). Matthew 2:10 declares, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” They found the King of kings and celebrated with abundant joy.

Matthew 2:11 states, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”

As wise men, they worshiped Jesus, the King of Kings, and gave Him precious gifts.

The wise men’s journey to Jesus was not easy. They searched for where the star led for potentially years. They travelled a long way. They paid money and took the time to buy gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They were lied to by the king. Perhaps your year has been like the wise men’s journey: long, hard, treacherous, discouraging. Just when you thought things were going well, something else happened. In the end, the wise men received something better than a star and better than any other king. They found Jesus, and they celebrated and chose to respond in worship to Him. 

Through the devastation, pain, and hardships from the year, will you choose to respond in worship to the Lord Jesus this Christmas?

I keep thinking about how Christmas falls on a Sunday and how even more special that makes Christmas this year. We get to go to church on Christmas. Because of the 28 year cycle, the next time Christmas is on a Sunday will be in 11 years on December 25, 2033. Next time Christmas falls on a Sunday, your kids will be 11 years older. Some parents and grandparents may be in glory. Life will be different. Take this opportunity to worship Jesus with other believers, to grow and be encouraged in God’s Word, and to live in community. Set this example for your family: get up a little earlier and be with other believers to worship Christ on Christmas. 

I love the charge from this popular carol “Angels From the Realms of Glory” by James Montgomery in 1816. 

Come and worship, come and worship;
worship Christ, the newborn King.

Verse 3 says, 

“Sages, leave your contemplations;
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations;
ye have seen His natal star.

Come and worship, come and worship;
worship Christ, the newborn King.

I put together a Spotify playlist of favorite Christmas carols that focus on worshipping Christ. Enjoy them in your personal worship, and prepare your heart for worshipping Christ on Sunday.

Merry Christmas!