A Different Way

In Matthew 2, we have the story of the Magi, or wise men as we often refer to them. We do not know how many there were. We oftentimes will say three because of the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that they brought, but there is nothing that lets us know how many there actually were. We simply know there was more than one because they are referred to in the plural. They followed a star that led them to Jesus, and they were the first to acknowledge him as King of the Jews. They were also the first to worship him. 

But these magi were aware of the climate they lived in. They knew King Herod felt threatened and was lashing out. They knew he was seeking violence to protect his kingdom from the king he learned had been born. He wanted to know where this was happening so that he could kill the infant king before he could pose a threat to him. Since they had encountered the baby King and paid homage to him, they knew they would be forced to turn over his location or else. They were now in danger. So verse 12 tells us that “having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” They went home a different way.

Friends, Christmas is here. Tomorrow we will worship the One known as the Prince of Peace. Tomorrow we will celebrate the birth of the One who when he returns will put an end to death and war and tears and disease and divisiveness and fear and . . . When Jesus returns, he will set the world back to the way God created it to be. It’s not hard for us to look around and see the brokenness of our world. This has been a hard year full of division and strife and war.  

I also know as I look around during the Advent/ Christmas season that there is a change in the way we typically act and treat people. People seem a little nicer, go out of their way to be kind and helpful. We adopt angels off a tree, give money to help make sure others have everything they need for Christmas, and will volunteer and serve those in need. As the song says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” But then Christmas ends and when we pack up all of our decorations, we tend to pack up that cheery attitude until next year as well.  

At the top of my grown-up Christmas List, I want us to follow the Magi’s example and go home a different way. We came through the divisiveness to get to Christmas. We have had an encounter with the Christ and have worshiped him. Now, let’s not go back to the way we were. Christmas should change us. Let’s take what we learned this season and put it into practice every day moving forward. Let’s not go back to the world we left. Let’s take the Prince of Peace with us into a war-ravaged, politically divisive world and allow that same Jesus to bring a little more of God’s Kingdom "on earth as it is in heaven" moving us toward that day when “he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

Merry Christmas to us all. Let us ensure we have an encounter with Jesus, whose birth we celebrate. Let us give him the worship that he deserves. Then, my wish for us is that we choose to leave Christmas and go home a different way—a better way.

Reflect and Respond

• What is your favorite place you've ever visited? What is a dream location you'd like to see?
• What's the furthest you've traveled to visit someone? What's the furthest someone has traveled to visit you? How did you feel during those visits?
• Attend the Christmas Eve worship service of your choosing as you are able (ours is at 5PM and 11PM, on site and online).