"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2
After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11
Long after the multitude of angels praised, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" and long after “the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them,” the Magi arrived. Their hands were filled with gifts and their hearts with worship for the newborn “King of the Jews.” We know their hearts were full as Scripture tells us, “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” At the sight of Jesus, they fell to the ground in worship. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of great worth and significance; gifts fit for a King.
As you read this, the Christmas presents have been opened, the leftovers are waning, and the Christmas cookies have quickly disappeared. We pray that you “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” this Christmas season, but we also know the holidays can be challenging and at times, anything but peaceful; but it is not too late. December 25this just a date chosen to celebrate, and Jesus invites us to experience and express all the love, joy, peace, and all that life with Him has in store for us EVERY day. The wisemen were not at Christ’s birth but they still knew His worth and worthiness to be worshipped and celebrated as the promised King they had been waiting for every time they looked to the starry sky.
Many people rejected Jesus as the Messiah because He did not meet their preconceived expectations of a temporary, earthly victory against Rome for one nation and generation. Jesus came for an eternal Heavenly Kingdom victory over Satan for all nations and generations who would believe and follow Him. Don’t let unmet expectations of the season cause you to miss the extraordinary glory of the Savior.
As you spend time in worship, if you would like to give a gift to the Lord by making an end of year donation to The National Day of Prayer Task Force, we would be deeply grateful. Just as Jesus’ life on earth was just beginning, our work in training and equipping our 18,000 prayer missionaries, creating thousands of prayer resources, mobilizing unified public prayer for America 365 days a year, and hosting tens of thousands of prayer gatherings on May 2, 2024, is just getting started. Your end of year gift will help us to expose and dispel the darkness and exalt Jesus across America and around the world as we, “Lift Up the Word, and Light Up the World.”
Lord Jesus, please forgive us for the times when we put ourselves or our interest above or ahead of others. Please forgive us for when we did not reflect the peace that we expected from others. Thank you for being our Prince of Peace. You are worthy of our worship and all that we are, all we have, every opportunity and blessing comes from You, and we look to You to direct our path, decisions, giving, and living. In all we feel, think, say and do we pray our life reflects that we love You with all our hear, soul, mind and strength. We choose to celebrate You every day and we will not surrender our joy. More than anything we want to live life for Your glory being conformed to Your character and ways. Please convict us when we begin to form expectations that will blind us to Your blessings or set ourselves as the priority. Great is Your faithfulness and we put our whole trust in You. In Your powerful name we pray, Amen!
Serving Him with Gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President