Joy! to Your World! A Countdown to ChristmasSample

The Magi specialized in astronomy which is the study of the stars. These learned, cerebral men were not Jews - they were pagan astrologers from the East. Today we would term these wise men “diviners” or “magicians”. They are probably the types of people that you and I would stay away from today. Perhaps, in the 21st Century, we would call them “humanists ... “the left side of academia” ... “weirdos”. These magic men came to King Herod asking where they could find the new king, because it was their ultimate plan to worship Him who was born King of the Jews. King Herod became perturbed at this news and gathered the scribes and priests to figure out where the Messiah was to be born. These leading church scholars of the day were able to quote to King Herod a prophetic word from Micah that confirmed that the heaven-sent Ruler would be born in Bethlehem. King Herod then called for a second meeting with the Magi and sent them to Bethlehem, telling them to let him know when the Messiah was found because he also desired to come and worship this new born King. Was King Herod actually going to worship Jesus? Absolutely not! King Herod was plotting to kill the Baby who had come to bring peace on earth! The worship of King Herod was mere lip service. His heart had no intent of worshipping the Christ Child, even as his mouth formed the evil lie meant to manipulate the plans of the Magi. What is your plan this Christmas? Will you only give him your lip service? Will you say that He is Lord while acting quite a different way? Christmas is a time when the motives of our hearts are laid bare. Will you worship Him with only your mouth ... or will your heart and your life join in the high praise that He deserves? Only you can determine this type of worship. You choose whether to worship Him with lip service alone or bring to Jesus, the Baby in the manger, the worship that is accompanied by a lifetime of loving actions. Oh come! Let us adore Him!