Emmanuel: A 4-Day Devotional With Chris TomlinSample

Christmas Day

“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 worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)

A baby in a manger, shepherds in a field, and wise men following a star all make for a good story, but the birth of Jesus is far more than simply a good read. It’s the crux of our faith. If Jesus had never come as a baby, He would never have been able to identify with what it means to be human.

He left the perfection of heaven to take on flesh so that He could literally walk through the human experience. The birth of Jesus kickstarted God’s great redemption plan.

Jesus isn’t just the reason for Christmas Day, He’s the reason for every day. And that’s why He is the One worthy of all our worship.

The three wise men were some of the first people to worship Jesus. These men of great knowledge traveled from far away to visit this baby. And when they arrived at the stable, they humbled themselves at His feet, presenting Him with the sweetest of gifts.

Each gift was thoughtful and held significance. Gold was an extravagance, usually reserved for royalty — a fitting offering for a King. Frankincense was especially fragrant and was used as an ingredient in sweet-smelling perfumes. It was a symbol of anointing. Myrrh was often employed during the burial process — a sign of Jesus’ eventual death on the cross.

The intention behind each gift was more meaningful than the costly gifts themselves, and the same is true of our worship. Just like the gifts of the Magi, our worship emits a sweet fragrance to the Father. When we offer up praise in its purest form, it fills the room with an aroma that’s pleasing to God.

The life-altering instance when the Word became flesh and the Savior of the world was born was a moment that changed eternity forever. Because of Jesus, Christmas Day is more than a day of celebration. It’s a chance to remember His birth and the abundant life He brings to all who believe. It’s an opportunity to praise and adore the Light of the World.