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An Advent Devotional Study from Caring.
Christmastime can carry many mixed emotions—and lots of stress. But this year will be different.
Reserve five minutes a day to read the daily devotional entry in this series and journey through the Christmas season with peace, perspective and hope.
This “Hope and a Future: Advent Devotional Study” will guide you through the month of December to ponder afresh the story of the Bible with Jesus’ birth as the focus. Find daily a reflection, highlighted Scripture, meaningful questions and a prompt for prayer.
Connect with God this Christmas season and experience hope for the future.
December 21: The Magi Visit Jesus
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
First, the shepherds from the field—and now Magi from the East. The first visitors recorded to worship baby Jesus teach us a valuable lesson.
Thousands of years before Christ, God fashioned the nation of Israel to live as a light to the other nations. Maybe the nations could see God through Israel’s relationship with him—and worship him, too. Unfortunately, Israel failed in their job at times, worshipping idols and neglecting the temple service—but nonetheless, God set his gaze on all peoples knowing and worshipping him.
Like the Magi.
These mysterious people “from the East”—who studied the stars and likely heard some prophesies about the Messiah—braved crossing the wilderness with expensive offerings to worship the newborn King of the Jews. They found him (the timing is debated by scholars), and worshipped him, offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
So, what do Jewish shepherds and Magi from the East have in common? Jesus. Both of them, Jew and Gentile (non-Jew), were invited by God to worship him. No longer is worshipping God regulated through the Jewish Law, now all could come to God.
So, this Christmas, let’s look beyond our borders—especially the border of our homes—out into our neighborhood, our schools, our workplaces. Who needs Jesus? Invite them, too.
Read: Hear from God
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route (Matthew 2:1–12).
Reflect: Focus on God
Who do you know in your neighborhood, school or job that might need Jesus? What is one thing you can do to show them God’s love this Christmas?
Pray: Talk to God
Talk to God about your reflections above. If you would like a sample prayer, here is one to follow:
Father, God, thank you that you are the bond-maker. Help me to see people beyond the borders I erect for my comfort and sometimes out of selfishness or fear. Help me to see others and to love them well, in your name for your fame. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do Good:
- Looking for a meaningful way to prepare your family for Christmas? Try our new, classic downloadable Advent Paper Chain. For 25 days, reflect on the love we receive from God and give to others during the holiday season.
- Join us in making a difference with The Salvation Army this season and help families in your community during the holidays and beyond.
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