“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
The magi were men who studied the constellations for a living, which explains their fascination with the Star of Bethlehem. But they weren’t just incredibly wise; they were rich and prominent, too. They carried with them extravagant gifts, had their stargazing expedition fully-funded, and even got the attention of King Herod.
I often imagine how their expectations were shattered when they arrived at Mary and Joseph’s humble home. Who knows how long they had been on the road, and when they got to their destination, it was anything but kingly. And here was their long-awaiting King: in the form of a child.
But Matthew says, “they were overjoyed... and they bowed down and worshiped Him.” Here were grand and powerful men who bowed down to worship Jesus. It’s the very definition of humility. The magi sacrificed their time, power, and resources, all to worship Jesus. They offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing their service to the Most High.
You can’t have worship without humility, just as you can’t have faith without service. The wise men understood this well; so how are you serving your King today?
Jesus, thank You that You came to earth and gave us the greatest gift of all: life with You! Help us to worship with humility, and serve in faith. In Your name, amen.
Take Action
It’s easy to get caught up in your own self-importance. Confess any pride in your heart, and take some time today to reflect on how you can serve Him in humility and faith.
Merry Christmas!
