12/24/2023
On this day, Christmas Eve, we are in great expectation of a tiny baby’s arrival into the lineage of David... the Christ Child, Jesus, Emanuel, the Son of God. He will be born in Bethlehem, and a star will shine bright inside each of us to show the way to where He will be held to His mother’s breast. Are we ready to make the journey to where He will be born into the world; into each of us? Is the anticipation of His coming calling us even now to where Angels will announce Him?
“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 ESV
The most wonderful part of Christmas Eve for us, is that today isn’t just the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, but the anticipation of a celebration, a re-enactment of His birth. This is a time of remembrance, and for some of us decision... will we go to Him? Will we open our hearts to Him, and believe?
There are two mysteries surrounding the biblical account of the wise men who journeyed to worship Jesus; the first is how long it was after He was born until they arrived, and the second is... how many of them there actually were.
In the minds of many believers, the wise men arrived just a day or two after Jesus was born, to others it was within a couple of years, but in fact, we really don’t know exactly when they knelt before Him. As for their number, well, that too is unknown. Bible lore traditionally depicts three, but in fact there is no definite number written in scripture. What I want to propose today is that wise men and women are still coming, and have been coming by the millions since His birth. They come following a star that shines within each of us. The only difference between those who see Jesus and those who don’t is a single deciding event, taking their first step of faith. Every journey begins with a first step, yet most would be believers end their journey prematurely by never taking that first faithful step, and many more by turning back before they truly believe.
Do we have plans to attend Christmas Day church service tomorrow? Are we planning to attend a Christmas Eve service today? Are we spending these days with family to talk about the Christ child, and then move on to forget Him for months? Will we pray jointly before a Christmas feast and then place our prayers back on the shelf until Easter? Some of us see the starlight far off within us, and although we long to go there, we never begin our journey. We go to church on the high holidays as if we were about to travel, and then return home without ever taking the first step of a true believer. Others of us see the star, but will make no movement whatsoever... no prayer, no service, just an acknowledgement of a child being born, and consoling ourselves with such excuses as “Christmas is all about being with family!” or further excusing ourselves by saying “Christmas is just too commercial.” In fact, we never had the slightest intention of stripping that commercialism away and actually worshiping Jesus.
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:10-11 NIV
I invite each of you today to make a journey. I invite you to be a Magi of sorts, and follow the star that is shining before and within you, to begin a journey to where Jesus Christ awaits. Join the untold millions who have made this trip, and don’t let Satan tell you that it is too late, because there is no timeframe set upon this most Holy Pilgrimage. You have an open invitation to join more than just a Christmas celebration... you are invited to a reunion with the Word of God, and with Jesus Christ Himself. You are called to believe, worship, and to begin a Holy Pilgrimage to where Jesus is born, lives, suffers, dies, rises from the grave, and lives eternally today. You have been summoned to stand before the throne of God and see Him sitting at our Father’s right hand, and hear Him fervently make intercession for us. It is Christmas Eve, are you prepared to join all those traversing the pilgrim’s way today?
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 ESV
This Christmas I pray that each of us takes our first step, or continues on, in a lifelong journey towards eternity. I pray that we don’t sit and look at travel guides while dreaming of one day going there... I ask that we begin praying, following the star that we see within us, kissing the cheek and tiny feet of Jesus, worshiping the Christ Child, and offering the gift of our lives to Him; a gift of love, and faith. God “gave” us the greatest of all gifts… Jesus... can we give Him the gift of our belief, and life in return?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17 NIV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and I thank you for the star you have provided to lead me to Him. My spirit sees the Star of David Lord, yet my feet are ever so slow in moving towards it. Speed my travel Merciful Father, and help those who are yet to begin their journey as they struggle to take that first step of faith. I praise you Holy Father, and I desire to worship your Son today, this Christmas Eve, and forevermore. On this eve I anticipate the renewed celebration of your promise; a life that ends death forever for those who believe in Him. Your Son, The awaited Messiah, has arrived, and now we no longer must look to prophesy for Him, but instead He has come, and waits for us as we journey to where He is. Give us the strength of faith we need Father, and a burning desire to join Him before your throne every day. Give us perseverance as we walk with Him, and heal the suffering that slows our pace... cure the blisters, the ache in our legs, the soreness in our backs, help us as we suffer the journey, and bring us in glory to where your Son Jesus awaits us, and through Him to You. Just as the Magi brought gifts that symbolized a life complete with its death, and laid them before the Christ Child, let me lay my own life at your feet as I worship you Father, and in my death let me realize your promise of eternal life in your presence. Then Lord, I will worship you in joy throughout that eternity. Praised be your name Father as I prepare to celebrate the glorious fulfillment of all messianic prophesy, and the outpouring of your grace in the morrow. Hear me today shouting with the heavenly host… Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, who was, and is, and is to come… who loves the world enough to give His only begotten Son that we might receive forgiveness in His death, and everlasting life in His resurrection.
Rich Forbes