12/24/2025
On this day, Christmas Eve, we are in great expectation of a tiny baby’s arrival into the lineage of David... He is 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 was held to His mother’s breast and has now come to abide in us. Are we ready to make the journey to where He is and to meet Him where He was born into the world; into each of us? In the anticipation of His coming can we hear Him calling us to where Angels were once preparing themselves to 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
A 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, and a re-enactment of His birth. This is a time of remembrance, and for some of us a decision and declaration of faith... will we go to Him?
There are two mysteries surrounding the biblical account of wise men who journeyed to worship Jesus; the first is how long it was after He was born before they arrived, and the second is... how many of them there 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. Every journey must start with a first step, yet the journey of many ends prematurely because that first faithful step is never taken.
Do you have plans to attend a Christmas Day church service tomorrow? Are you planning to attend a Christmas Eve service today? Are you spending these days with family to talk about the coming of the Christ child, and then to set Him aside and forget Him for months? Will you pray jointly before a Christmas feast and then place your 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 but then return home without ever making the first step. Others see the star, but will make no movement whatsoever... no prayer, no service, just an acknowledgement of a child, and console themselves with such excuses as “It’s all about being with family!” or further excusing themselves by saying “Christmas is just too commercial” without the slightest intention of stripping that commercialism away and actually worshiping.
“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 you today to make the trip. I invite you to be a Magi of sorts, and follow the star that is shining within you, and guides you to where Jesus Christ awaits. Join the untold millions who have followed Jesus, and don’t let Satan tell you that it is too late, because there is no timeframe set upon this 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.
“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 don’t simply talk about Jesus… take the first step in a lifelong journey with Him. Don’t sit and look at travel guides while dreaming of one day going to where He is... begin now by praying, follow the star that you see within you, kiss the cheek and tiny feet of Baby Jesus, worship the Christ Child, give Him of your life, your love, and then set out on the journey of faith by believing. God “gave” us the gift of His Son Jesus... can you give Him the gift of your own 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 that you have provided which leads me to Him. My spirit sees the Star of David Lord, yet my feet seem to be moving ever so slowly towards it. Speed my travel Merciful Father and help those who are yet to begin their journey as they struggle to take that first tentative step of faith. I praise you Holy Father, and I desire to worship your Son this Christmas, and forevermore. On this eve I anticipate the renewed celebration of your promise; a life that has ended sin and death for those of us who believe in Him. The awaited Messiah has arrived, and now we no longer must turn to prophecy for Word of Him, but instead He has come, and waits for us as we journey to where He is calling to us. Give us amazing strength of faith Father, and a burning desire to join Him before your throne this and every day. Give us perseverance as we walk and heal any suffering that slows our pace... cure the blisters, the aches in our legs, the soreness in our backs, help us as we suffer during our pilgrimage, and bring us to you in grace and glory alongside your Son Jesus, and through Him let us abide in you.
Just as the Magi brought gifts that symbolized a King’s life complete with its death, and laid them before the Christ Child let me place my life at your feet as I worship you Father, and in my death let me realize your promise of eternal life in its fullness. Then Lord, hear my voice as I worship you in joy with the heavenly host for all eternity. Praised be your name on this the Eve of Christmas and the birth of your Son… the Messiah... and the realization of a promise you made in love to the world. Let me hear the voice of the prophet Isaiah ringing in my ears as he tells us of who is coming…
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
And the voice of the Apostle Matthew as he quotes him from Isaiah 7:14 by saying…
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”
Matthew 1:23 ESV
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Our Savior comes in the morrow! Amen!
Rich Forbes