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Day 15: The Star of Bethlehem
“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.’” [Matthew 2:1-2]
The Star of Bethlehem that led the wise men remains a mystery. An article on forbes.com presents several theories about what that bright light in the sky could have been. A few of the theories posit that it was a planet, or a combination of two planets passing close to each other, that caused the bright phenomenon in the sky. Each theory has evidence that lines up with biblical accounts. Whatever it was, it is a part of the Christmas Story that for me highlights the majesty of God and the meekness of Christ. God’s first act in Genesis is to call light into existence. Now, the God who invented light sheds a cosmic spotlight on His humbled Son—who is in Himself a whole new kind of light. One that does not shine resplendently, dominating the sky for all to see, but a humble light that spreads like the chain reaction of candles lit at a Christmas candlelight service.
Lord, help us to cup our hands around the flame of faith and keep it burning within us, to pass onto others. Help us to be guided by your Son as the wise men were guided by the star all those years ago. Amen.
Article: “Star of Bethlehem 2023: When to See the Bright Christmas Star with Your Naked Eyes” by Jamie Carter; forbes.com
Day 16: Herod
“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed…He sent them [the Magi] 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.” [Matthew 2:3,8]
We know that King Herod had no intention of worshiping the child. His motives were entirely self-serving. Just a few verses later we see that when the Magi fail to return to him, he decides to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem that were two years old and under. He represents a human drive for power and control that is wildly sinister and, unfortunately, also very believable. Herod is a stark reminder in the middle of the Christmas story of why humanity desperately needed Jesus. In another crazy juxtaposition, he who does not value human life pits himself against a God who values every human life. A man of great power who kills others for self-preservation meets his match in a tiny baby who has relinquished all power in order to die to save others.
Lord, your heart breaks in the face of injustice. Instead of facing evil in kind, you sent your son to extinguish it, carrying sin and all its consequences, so we could be free. Loosen our grip on power and control so we can receive and appreciate the gift of your son. Give us courage to take action against injustice and show that we, like you, value every human life. Amen.
Day 17: Magi
“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…And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” [Matthew 2:10-11a, 12]
Like Joseph, the Magi abandon their plans and expectations to follow a different road. They take a stand to protect the baby Jesus. Jesus has saved us, but it is not so that we sit idly by. We each have a role to play. Our worship should lead to action, as it did with the Magi. And when doing the right thing, what God calls us to do, is complicated and has negative consequences (which it often does) we get our strength and courage from the example of Jesus and His presence in our lives.
Lord, help us to hear your voice convicting us and guiding us in a disorienting world. Once we are convinced of what is right, give us the strength to travel the more difficult road. Amen.
Day 18: Gold
“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 2:11-12]
I was in the dollar store the other day, chasing my son around as he collected New Years decorations. An older woman stopped me and asked me if a 5-year-old would like the toy she held up. When I couldn’t help her, she asked another older woman, who said “I don’t know, it has been so long since I have been five!” She went from customer to customer, in a gift-giving panic.
We have all been there, feeling the stress of choosing the perfect gift.
Gift-giving is my love language. For me what gives the gift weight is not the size or cost. The greatest thing about gifts is that when they hit the mark they show a person that they are seen and known.
The Magi got this. They presented Jesus with gifts that to us may not have seemed practical, but which showed a deep knowledge of who Jesus was and who he would be. Gold represented wealth and power, kingship. So this gift showed their understanding that Jesus was King. That he is worthy of worship, praise, of being the center of our lives.
Lord, help us not to get caught up in the stress of this season. Help us to slow down and understand that it is relationships that matter, far more than the gifts. Help us take the time to connect and know each other. And as we ponder the gift of gold offered to Jesus, help us to offer him the proper position in our lives, as King. Amen.
Day 19: Frankincense
“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 2:11-12]
The Magi’s gift of Frankincense signifies the action that should result from a recognition that he is King—worship. Frankincense was a kind of incense or perfume. In John 12:3-8 we see Judas incensed when a woman pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. Jesus defends the woman’s act of worship, saying that he will not always be with them. Worship is the natural response to knowing Jesus and increases the more we learn about his character.
Lord, help us to take the time to really know Jesus, to meditate on his words and his actions. Out of this knowledge of who he is, may we offer him the worship that only he deserves. Amen.
Day 20: Myrrh
“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 2:11-12]
This gift from the Magi is the hardest one to process. It represents death and mourning. According to the article “Here’s What History Can Tell Us About the Magi” by Olivia B. Waxman*, myrrh was used in the embalming process. It is a gift that foreshadows Jesus’ death. It shows up again at his death, offered to him on the cross as a painkiller. Needless to say, this is a pretty intense gift to give at a birth. No one wants to think about the end at the beginning. But with Jesus, the joy of his birth is entwined with his saving work that would be completed on the cross.
Lord, we thank you for these three gifts that help us know Jesus more deeply—that he is King, worthy of our worship and praise, and that it is through his death that we are all saved and set free. We thank you for your plan of salvation and for Jesus himself, the greatest gift ever given. Amen.
*December 29, 2020 7am on Time.com
Day 21: Angel of the Lord
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’” [Matthew 2:13]
Here we see another intervention via an angel in the Christmas Story. This time directly interceding to protect Jesus from being murdered. Joseph is again obedient and travels to Egypt, remaining there until Herod dies. Unfortunately, we still see this level of political corruption, this abuse of power to the point of murder, genocide, wiping out entire swaths of people to gain more power. It may not seem like it, but when evil takes the spotlight and tries to create a culture of fear, God is always there working against it, calling us to join him and use our influence for good.
Lord, when political corruption looms large, help us to find peace in knowing that you are watching over us, that you are with us. Instill in us the courage we need to follow you and live for you in the time and place you have positioned us. Help us to be people who inspire strength and peace in the midst of struggle and strife. Amen.