A Savior is Born! (Rejoice in the Lord-Day 1)
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, As the season of giving is upon us, let us reflect on the greatest gift ever given – Jesus Christ, your son. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV). Help us to spread this good news far and wide!
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 greatly overjoyed. On coming to his house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:9-11 (NIV)
REFLECT:
Do you ever remember, as a young child, waiting for a parent or grandparent to arrive home in anticipation of Christmas? You may have anchored yourself on a couch, slumped on the top, looking out a window, longing for the excitement of the holiday to begin! You knew there were presents under the tree. You smelled the aroma of wonderful foods being created in the kitchen. Everything seemed ready and your anticipation was high. But when? When would they arrive, for the celebration of Christmas could not begin until they arrived! There may have been occasional “false alarms” thinking you heard them…then, finally, the door opened wide and you were overjoyed! Christmas was here!
Over 2000 years ago, the world ached and longed for a savior. Steeped in sin, mindful of the prophecies of a coming king, the earth was ready…ready for a savior to come! Isaiah 9:7, NIV says, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Excitement was building…then he arrived! The wise men that sought him in the scripture from Matthew 2:9-11 today tells the story of rulers who had much. They gave no regard for the risk they took in finding this newborn king. Scholars say the journey of the wisemen could have taken up to 2 1/2 years from the time they first started out until they found Jesus. Traveling an average of 10 miles a day, that would encompass about 9,125 miles (one-way). Verse 10 of Matthew Chapter 2 says, “when they saw the star, they were overjoyed!” They could finally see an end to their journey! They now saw the opportunity they had so longed for…to see the Christ child!
APPLY:
Many times, the Christmas season carries with it memories of the past that bring sadness to our hearts. But imagine if you were one of the Magi, over 2,000 years ago, waiting, watching, anticipating redemption? Imagine there not being a Christmas because Christ would have not yet come? The fact is, today, we celebrate our Savior’s birth “and” his resurrection, promising us the hope of eternal life if we make him Savior and Lord of our lives! What joy should fill our hearts! Take a moment today to consider someone you know who might not have this blessed hope. Perhaps you could bring a plate of cookies to that person or persons and let them know about our upcoming Christmas services at Pathway. Tell them there is reason to hope…and that you are living proof of it!
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, we thank you for coming to earth to redeem us and save us from the wages of our sin. We await your return one day, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13, KJV).
CONTINUED READING:
: Matthew 2:9-11, Zachariah 9:9
WORSHIP: