Advent Week 4

“The Visit of the Magi”

Matthew 2:1-12

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 in the east 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 Christ 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 be the shepherd of 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 make a careful search 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 in the east 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 worshipped Him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The fourth candle of Advent symbolizes Love.  God’s love is so powerfully illustrated in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ.  His love is so vivid in the humility of Christ to leave glory to come in flesh to save the world.  His love is so deep in knowing that He came as a baby not to live only, but to die as a sacrifice for our sin.  As the Magi are remembered for bringing gifts to Jesus, let us never forget that the real gift of Christmas is the loving gift of Jesus.

Advent Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for seeking to remove Your presence and influence from our lives today.  We confess our rebellion against Your absolute sovereign lordship, and ask that You would create instead a deep desire for You to rule over us.  Enable us to delight in this little child who is now the King of kings, and to show our love for Him through our obedience.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Bible Readings

These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah.  Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.

Monday, December 21, 2009
Luke 1:39-56—Elizabeth and Mary

Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Luke 2:1-20—The Birth of Jesus

Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Luke 2:21-38—Presentation in the Temple

Thursday, December 24, 2009
Colossians 1:15-23—The Pre-eminent Christ

Friday, December 25, 2009
Revelation 5:1-14—Worthy Is the Lamb

Saturday, December 26, 2009
Revelation 21:1-7—The New Heaven and New Earth