“When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.” – Matthew 2:10-11

We are all probably familiar with the story of the wisemen who traveled a long distance and presented the young Jesus with expensive gifts. When you think of that story what picture do you get of the wisemen? Do you think about the selfless difficulty of long travel and the great sacrifice of expensive gifts? Or do you think of their worship and their incredible joy?

In modern Christianity we often separate these things out. We are either painfully sacrificing for Christ or we are joyfully worshipping him with smiles on our faces. But Matthew 2 shows us that this was all one experience for the wisemen. Joyous worship means willing sacrifice. This Christmas, when you see the baby Jesus laying in that manger, ask yourself, when is the last time you joyfully gave something up for him? When is the last time you were excited to sacrifice in worship? Maybe this year we could all concentrate on expressing our joy and our worship by deciding to sacrifice for Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the incomprehensible gift of Jesus Christ. Teach us to express our thanks in joyful, sacrificial worship.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon