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Luke 2:8-18 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Matthew 2:8-11 “Magi from the east asked, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and are come to worship him. 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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.”
The shepherds and wise men teach us the importance of seeking after the Good News. It is in our searching we find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and finding Him leads to WORSHIP! Going, telling, bowing, presenting gifts. THIS! This is how we are to approach Christmas. Worship. Focus only on Jesus. This response, like that of Mary and Joseph, is appropriate. Acceptable. Altogether good.
Yes, the shepherds were frightened. They saw the sky filled with angels singing and proclaiming Heavens Birth Announcement. However, they believed the announcement and DID something about it: They went to see and then proclaimed the experience to all who would listen. The wise men had been following a star for months and now they have at last found the One the Star represented. They bowed down to the ground though they were from the king of the East courts and they GAVE gifts of great value; gifts providing for the needs of this Baby and His family.
We have a few more gifts to add to our gifts to give this year to the One whose birthday we celebrate with trees, tinsel, tidings, and too much to eat. The gifts we can add are the gifts of seeking, going, telling, and giving valuable gifts that provide for needs: In other words, Be missionaries in our neighborhood, city, county, state, and nation. Others will benefit from our sharing all we have been given, seen, and heard.
The responses to the birth of Christ by the shepherds and wise men show us the desire of the birthday honoree’s heart. Go and tell the Good News! Give lavishly to those in need. Would the responses to these gifts not outshine those of our usual Christmas? These gifts are eternal. These gifts are written down in glory. These gifts are what Christ told us He wanted! (Matthew 28:19, Deuteronomy 15:11, Matthew 25: 35-40, and Acts 20:35)
Gifts to bring to the Savior. Gifts from the heart. Gifts of sacrifice. Gifts of humility. Gifts of love. Gifts of obedience. Gifts of worship. Wrap these in prayer. Present them to the King and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant……” (Matthew 25:21-23)
https://youtu.be/n3iG1gkW9R0
A Gift To You, by KWSCM – Kids Worship Songs Children Ministry
Let us be like little children as He instructed us! (Matthew 18:3)
Blessings of the Season and for eternity.
Yvonne Jones
