Christmas: Come Let Us Adore Him – Matthew 2:1-12
Day 1: Pursue Jesus—and Keep Pursuing Him While There’s Still Time (Matthew 2:1-3)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-3 (CSB)
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”
Commentary:
The wise men, though from a distant land, were committed to seeking the Messiah. Their journey, driven by the sight of a star, represents a deep, unwavering pursuit of Jesus. The distance they traveled—around 1,700 miles—demonstrates their dedication to seeking the One they believed to be the King of the Jews. In contrast, King Herod, although closer geographically, was disturbed by the news of Jesus’ birth because it threatened his reign. Herod’s reaction illustrates the dangers of pride and self-preservation, as his heart was closed to the true King.
The question for us is this: Are we like the wise men, passionately pursuing Jesus, or are we like Herod, afraid of surrendering to His lordship? The pursuit of Jesus should not just be for a season, but a lifelong commitment, each day dedicated to drawing nearer to Him.
Reflection Questions:
What steps can you take today to more intentionally pursue Jesus?
What distractions are keeping you from wholeheartedly seeking Him?
What does it mean for you to seek Jesus, even when it’s difficult?
How does the wise men’s journey inspire your own walk with Christ?
Thought of the Day:
“To pursue Jesus means to leave comfort, to press forward with unwavering determination, knowing that He is worth every step of the journey.”
Song: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Prayer Focus:
Ask God to help you stay focused on Him throughout this season and beyond, to continue pursuing Jesus with the same dedication the wise men showed.
Day 2: Look for the Real Messiah—The One Revealed in God’s Word (Matthew 2:4-6)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:4-6 (CSB)
“So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. ‘In Bethlehem of Judea,’ they told him, ‘because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”
Commentary:
Herod, in his search for the Messiah, turns to the religious leaders of Israel. While they accurately quote Micah’s prophecy about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem, they fail to recognize the significance of the prophecy and the One standing before them. Their spiritual blindness was a result of their own pride and disbelief. The Messiah they read about in Scripture was right before them, yet they were unmoved.
In today’s world, many seek a Messiah that fits their personal desires or agendas. But the true Messiah, as revealed in Scripture, calls us to surrender and follow Him as He is, not as we wish Him to be. Jesus came to fulfill the promises of God, to restore and guide His people—not to fulfill worldly expectations.
Reflection Questions:
How can we ensure that we are seeking the true Messiah, not a version of Jesus that we’ve created?
What do the religious leaders’ response to the prophecy teach us about the dangers of spiritual complacency?
How does recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy deepen your faith?
In what ways does Scripture help clarify who Jesus truly is?
Thought of the Day:
“The real Messiah does not conform to our desires; He transforms our hearts to align with His will.”
Song: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Prayer Focus:
Pray for discernment in recognizing the true nature of Jesus through Scripture and for a heart that aligns with God’s will rather than personal agendas.
Day 3: Stay the Course—Distractions Are Everywhere (Matthew 2:7-10)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:7-10 (CSB)
“Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.’ After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was.”
Commentary:
The wise men encountered many distractions and obstacles during their journey, especially when they were led to Herod. Yet, they pressed on, trusting the star would lead them to the Messiah. In the same way, we often encounter distractions—temptations, hardships, or people who lead us astray—but our calling is to stay the course. The wise men did not let Herod’s deceitful intentions stop them from their mission. They followed the star, trusting it would lead them to the Savior.
Distractions are an inevitable part of life, but they should not deter us from our ultimate pursuit of Jesus. Like the wise men, we must be diligent and remain focused, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us to the heart of God.
Reflection Questions:
What distractions are currently preventing you from focusing on Jesus?
How can you remain steadfast in your faith despite the challenges you face?
When was the last time you faced a major distraction in your faith journey? How did you overcome it?
How does the wise men’s journey inspire you to press on despite obstacles?
Thought of the Day:
“Even in the face of distractions, we are called to stay focused on Jesus, knowing that He will lead us to the fulfillment of His promises.”
Song: “Joy to the World”
Prayer Focus:
Pray for strength to stay focused on Jesus, especially during distractions. Ask God to guide you by His Holy Spirit.
Day 4: Embrace Your Childlike Awe of Jesus (Matthew 2:11-12)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:11-12 (CSB)
“Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.”
Commentary:
The wise men’s response to the child Jesus was filled with awe and worship. They fell to their knees in reverence, offering Him gifts that honored His royalty. This childlike awe is what we are called to maintain in our relationship with Jesus. The moment we lose the wonder and reverence for who He is, our worship becomes mechanical and our faith grows cold.
Like the wise men, we must come to Jesus with open hearts, ready to give everything in worship. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were not only symbols of Jesus’ kingship, but also pointed to His life, death, and resurrection. Our worship should reflect the full understanding of who Jesus is—our Savior, King, and Lord.
Reflection Questions:
When was the last time you were overwhelmed with awe in worship?
How can you cultivate a childlike awe of Jesus in your daily life?
What does it mean to present your “gifts” to Jesus in worship?
How can you ensure your worship remains sincere and heartfelt?
Thought of the Day:
“Awe of Jesus fuels genuine worship. Let your heart overflow with wonder and gratitude for the Savior who gave everything for you.”
Song: “O Holy Night”
Prayer Focus:
Pray for a renewed sense of awe and wonder in your relationship with Jesus, and ask God to help you worship Him with a pure heart.
Day 5: Christmas—Come Let Us Adore Him (Matthew 2:12)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:12 (CSB)
“And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.”
Commentary:
The wise men’s obedience to God’s warning was a critical part of their worship. They not only found the Messiah, but they also followed His guidance. In the same way, our journey with Jesus is one of continuous obedience. Our adoration of Jesus should lead us to respond to His call with humility and faith, just as the wise men did.
Christmas is a reminder of the incredible gift we have in Jesus. Our response is not just celebration, but worship—offering our hearts to Him. Adoration is not a momentary feeling, but a lifestyle of constant surrender to Jesus, the King of kings.
Reflection Questions:
How are you responding to God’s call in your life today?
What does it mean for you to adore Jesus?
In what areas of your life is God calling you to deeper obedience?
How can you make adoration of Jesus a lifestyle, not just a seasonal practice?
Thought of the Day:
“Christmas is not just a season for adoration, but a lifetime call to worship the Savior who gave everything for us.”
Song: “Silent Night”
Prayer Focus:
Pray for a heart that adores Jesus, not just during Christmas, but every day. Ask God to help you follow His guidance and live in obedience to His will.