Daily Scripture: Matthew 2:7 Herod summoned the Magi to meet with him privately and asked them exactly when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Beit-Lechem with these instructions: “Search carefully for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had listened to the king, they went away; and the star which they had seen in the east went in front of them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 Upon entering the house, they saw the child with his mother Miryam; and they prostrated themselves and worshipped him. Then they opened their bags and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 But they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they took another route back to their own country.
Reflection Questions:The UBS Translator’s Handbook on Matthew said, “Matthew describes the response of the men when they saw the star: they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. It is impossible to overtranslate the men’s reaction to seeing the star; the translation should express the greatest possible joy.” Their long quest was over; they had found the newborn king they sought.
- The magi (by the way, the text never said how many there were) followed the star for perhaps 18 to 24 months. Matthew said (verse 11) they found Mary and Jesus in “the house,” not a stable. And Herod ordered all children less than 2 years old killed, based on when the star first appeared (verse 7). Have you made a long life journey to find Jesus, or was he “right there” for you as a child? How have you learned to value worshiping him?
- Matthew wrote that the wealthy visitors who’d been mixing with Herod’s court “saw the child with Mary his mother [a poor young peasant girl]. Falling to their knees, they honored him.” Do outer or inner realities impress you most? What is helping you to see yourself and others more as God sees them, rather than just through human eyes?
Lord God, thank you for using a bright star to draw the wise men to come and find Jesus, your fullest revelation of who you are. Reveal yourself to me through Jesus this Christmas day, and draw me to worship and praise you. Amen.
---------------------Insights from Ginger Rothhaas
Ginger Rothhaas is a seminary student at Saint Paul School of Theology and is serving in Congregational Care at The Church of the Resurrection.
Merry Christmas!
Last night, as we passed the candlelight at our Christmas Eve services, I was filled with a sense of peace and awe. I know that you likely had the same reaction.
Peace, as I looked at the angelic faces of people I love.
Awe, at how a single candle can shine so brightly in a dark sanctuary.
A greater awe, felt in my heart, as I watched how that single flame can light thousands of candles simply by people sharing the light with one another.
This is a metaphor for us to remember our calling and purpose on earth: to bring the light of God into the dark places, and share it with others until the light takes over the darkness.
As we honor the birth of Jesus today, may we remember that he physically brought God’s light and love into the world.
We–you and I–must take that light and love and show it to the world. That’s our purpose. Every day in every way.
May you soak up time with family and friends today as you remember the birth of our source of light and love. As we are loved unconditionally, we are reminded to show others that same love. In doing that, we will truly have a merry Christmas!
---------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
913.897.0120
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Merry Christmas!
Last night, as we passed the candlelight at our Christmas Eve services, I was filled with a sense of peace and awe. I know that you likely had the same reaction.
Peace, as I looked at the angelic faces of people I love.
Awe, at how a single candle can shine so brightly in a dark sanctuary.
A greater awe, felt in my heart, as I watched how that single flame can light thousands of candles simply by people sharing the light with one another.
This is a metaphor for us to remember our calling and purpose on earth: to bring the light of God into the dark places, and share it with others until the light takes over the darkness.
As we honor the birth of Jesus today, may we remember that he physically brought God’s light and love into the world.
We–you and I–must take that light and love and show it to the world. That’s our purpose. Every day in every way.
May you soak up time with family and friends today as you remember the birth of our source of light and love. As we are loved unconditionally, we are reminded to show others that same love. In doing that, we will truly have a merry Christmas!
---------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120---------------------
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