Welcome back to our special Advent edition of the Daily Devos. Advent means “the arrival.” It is a way to look back and celebrate the Son of God coming to earth to be born as a baby in a manger while we also look forward to His second coming when creation will be redeemed and restored. Through December, we invite you to experience Advent in your own story.

Each week, we will discover a theme or a promise seen in the birth of Jesus that carries us through the “already not yet” as we await the arrival of His eternal Kingdom. This week, we’ve looked at the promise of PEACE.

Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God. 

If you’re anything like me and you don’t take down your Christmas decorations until mid-January, you probably still have a nativity scene in your house somewhere. Think of the key figures - Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, maybe even a donkey. What about the three wise men? The way we picture the three wise men is largely based on tradition, not on God’s Word. When it comes to Biblical and historical accounts, a more accurate depiction of the wise men would be…

• traveling in a large caravan with soldiers and servants
  
• studying astronomy; as well as hearing Jewish teachings
  
• riding Arabian stallions
  
• following a star for hundreds and hundreds of miles
  
• arriving at the home of Jesus, who was a young child (not at the manger at the time of his birth)
  

Now, I’m not telling you not to enjoy your nativity scene - and I doubt Hobby Lobby or Pottery Barn sells one that depicts the details above - but the wise men were rich “kingmakers” of the day, coming from far away to worship a baby. They had great knowledge and power and were on a quest to find the King of the Jews that they had heard prophecies of.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

The men were on a mission, actively searching the streets and asking anyone and everyone to find the new King. No wonder King Herod was disturbed! The arrival of these men was a direct threat to his power and pointed back to the prophecy of an even more powerful leader - the Messiah.

This passage tells us that when the wise men reach Jesus, they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10) and “fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11). Imagine Mary and Joseph - a teenage mother and a carpenter - finding foreign dignitaries on their doorstep, dignitaries who fall to the feet of their child and present gifts fit for a King. Wow! Not only had the heavenly realms proclaimed the arrival of the Savior, but earthly kingdoms were now recognizing the importance of this moment as well.

The wise men didn’t only come to admire Christ but to acknowledge Him as King with offerings. They gave their time, energy, and resources in the search for Jesus, and their immediate response was worship. As we move from Christmas into a new year, we can fall at the feet of Jesus and surrender to Him, continuing our own earthly journey to glorify Him and worship Him with all that we do.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a few moments in quiet reflection thinking about the new year approaching. How can you surrender anew to Jesus Christ in 2025?
  
• Set aside any distractions and listen to the song “Christ Be Magnified” by Cody Carnes. As you worship, pray about how you can glorify Jesus with your life this next year.
  
• Join us at Church Online this Sunday for the Online Year-End Experience!