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Taking
God at His Word What
Jesus Wants for Christmas
Matthew
2:10-11 (NASB) And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with
great joy. (11) And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary
His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures
they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Yet we often do not receive a specific answer. The answer to this recurring question often frustrates us. Let's face it. Many, if not most of us, can honestly respond to this question by saying we cannot think of anything we really need. This frustrating response challenges us to choose gifts for those who have everything they need. Let's ask Jesus Christ this question. Jesus not only has everything, but as God, He made everything. So what does Jesus want for Christmas from you and me? How can we possibly choose a gift for the King of kings and Lord of lords? By looking at Matthew's record of Jesus' birth and taking God at his Word, we see that the wise men give us specific examples of what Christ wants from us. Jesus wants our hope. These wandering wise men gave Jesus their hope. When everyone else saw a night sky, this small group saw God's divine guidance in the heavens through not only an especially bright star, but a supernatural star. The wise men in Matthew chapter two and verse two describe this star as "His star," as God's star. God's star is supernatural because it not only guided the wise men to Jerusalem but its led them to the house where they found Jesus and His mother. In addition to the hope found in God's guiding star, the wise men also rested their hope in the guarantee of God's Word. In verse six of this same chapter, Matthew tells us that some 700 years earlier the prophet Micah wrote down God's promise that Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, would be born in Bethlehem and would be a divine Ruler and Shepherd for His people. How can you give Christ your hope? Look to Him. You may be experiencing a time of darkness and pain in your life. Look to Him. You may be experiencing abundant blessings and happiness in your life. Look to Him. You may be experiencing complacency and numbness in your relationship with God. Look to Him. Look to Him and find hope, because the Bible promises us in Psalm chapter 39 and verse 7, "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee." Not only does Christ want our hope, He wants our time. The wise men gave Him their time. Before the incredible, history-making moment of seeing God as a man, they spent time seeking Him. It is likely these men traveled as long as two years before being led the very presence of the world's Savior. They devoted themselves to seeking the Savior. How can you give Christ your time? Seek Him by spending time with Him. Make appointments with Jesus and seek to know Him by reading God's word this Christmas season. Take time to be quiet and read your Bible. Start with the birth stories in Matthew and Luke. Then read about what Jesus did and said in the Gospel of John. On Christmas Eve, read not only the birth stories; read about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection in those same books of the Bible. Like the wise men, seek the Savior. God guarantees us in the fourth chapter of Deuteronomy and the twenty-ninth verse, "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul." Not only does our Savior want our hope and our time, He wants our worship. When the wise men entered Christ's presence, they "fell down and worshipped Him." When the wise men fell down, it was a deliberate action. Their falling down was no accident. They deliberately got down on their knees, directing their attention to the new-born King. These wealthy, influential, and intellectual men from the East, in an act of genuine humility, bowed down and worshipped Jesus. In this verse, the Greek word for worship carries with it both the recognition of God as the only true God as well as submission to His will. How can you give Christ your worship? The first step you can take is to deliberately ask Jesus Christ into your life. Let Christ speak to your heart now. Tell him you are a sinner in need of His forgiveness. Tell him you believe He is God's one and only Son. Tell Him you believe He is God's only way to receive forgiveness for your sins. Tell Him you believe He was crucified, died and was buried, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day. By faith ask Him to come into your heart and help you become a person who experiences His love and peace. You can also give Christ your worship by coming into His presence with a prepared and willing heart. Be ready to submit to His leadership in every area of your life. Ask Him to show you the areas in your life He wants to change so you may become more like His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. These changes may come in areas of finance, your job, your relationship with family and friends, your attitude toward giving or in areas of service to God. What Jesus
wants for Christmas is your hope, your time, and your worship, that is,
your whole heart. These are the gifts that keep on giving. Merry Christmas
to you and your family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and King,
Jesus Christ
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