Wednesday December 20, 2023

Today is Wednesday, December 20 and we are studying about the love of God born in Jesus.

As I begin this time of prayer, I quiet my mind, slow my breathing and focus on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As the Christmas celebration approaches, I prepare my heart to receive God’s great love realized in the birth of Jesus.

Pause and Pray

God, you loved the world so much you gave us your only Son. In this time of prayer and reflection, remind me of the greatest gift ever given – the birth of Jesus the Messiah for the salvation of the world. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s great love and praise him with the words of Psalm 96.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96:11-13

Pause and Pray

The shepherds went to seek the Messiah. So did the three Magi. They had much further to travel. They came from the east, from the Persian Empire. The three wisemen planned for years to make this journey and patiently watched the skies for a sign. They were astrologers who researched, studied, discussed the ancient prophecies and waited. When they observed a particular star at its rising they packed for a long journey into the unknown. To find the newborn King.

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. Matthew 2:1-3

The sojourn from Persia to Israel would have taken several months for the Magi to travel. The three were of singular purpose and earnestly sought the prophesied Christ Child. The star they followed led them to Jerusalem, Israel. The little town of Bethlehem was just five miles further south. King Herod had a palace outside of Jerusalem not far from Bethlehem. It was an enormous and elaborate fortress built on a man made mountain. It was visible to everyone for miles around – announcing Herod’s power, might and status to all. Perhaps the meeting between the three wisemen and Herod occurred at this sumptuous, ostentatious palace outside of Jerusalem overlooking nearby Bethlehem.

Ask: Where am I looking for Jesus – in a palace or a feeding trough? How far am I willing to go to find him?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, along with the Magi, I seek the baby who was born a King. Help me discover the star that will lead me to him this Christmas. I long to worship the newborn babe, Jesus, the Messiah and Prince of Peace. Remind me of the sacred miracle of the Incarnation and the coming of the Light of life into the darkness of our world. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. Matthew 2:1-3

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider what God might want to say to me through this passage of scripture from the Gospel of Matthew. I stand alongside the three Magi and inquire about the Christ Child. I do not realize I am asking the wrong person the wrong question. Herod had no idea of the location of the baby and the questions about the birth of a new king merely aroused concerns and created fear. Herod is disturbed and so are the people of Jerusalem. What might this reveal about my current circumstances? Maybe there are questions I need to be asking. Perhaps I am looking for Jesus in the wrong places. Maybe it is time to put things aside and just worship the newborn King.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I seek you in the midst of a busy holiday season. Show me where to look for you and help me slow down to experience your abiding presence. Remind me of the true spirit of Christmas, the purpose of our celebration and the reason for the season. I want to find you in Christmas. Amen.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

I leave this time of prayer seeking the Christ Child. I go to find him, bow down and worship him.

Amen