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Matthew 2:9-12
After King Herod gave the wise men instructions as to report back to him the whereabouts of the Child-King, they left to go on this journey. We learn in Matthew 2:9 (NKJV), “and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” The star – the light of the King Child was there. I believe that Matthew 2:10 is the reaction that God desires us all to have and experience when we are made aware of our Savior Jesus whom He sent to save us from sin (HCSB), “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.” Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) teaches us that they “fell down and worshiped Him; the wise men gave the Baby Jesus gifts of, “gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
In Matthew 2:12 we are given an important bit of information as to the true heart of King Herod, of which we will learn more in the coming verses. Matthew 2:12 (KJV) states, “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
This is the meaning of Christmas.
It is no accident that this Bible study is launched on Christmas day. I did not plan this; I did not seek to have the number of Bible lessons in this study to fit exactly so that this lesson would be on Christmas day as Christmas day is on Saturday this year and our Bible study runs from Monday through Friday each week. But here we are on Saturday with an additional Bible study lesson this week that is the whole purpose – the whole reason for this Bible study; and the reason is to share the love of God to us through His one and only Son Jesus our Savior. Today we celebrate His birthday as God sent Him to a lower life than His deity would deserve so that He could redeem His most valuable creation – us – from this life of sin to live in His righteousness that lasts for eternity – in Christ! John 3:16-17 (NIV) declares, “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.” Just as the star of Christ led people to Him in Matthew 2:2, Jesus now in His fulfillment of the Law is the light of the world that leads people to everlasting life. Matthew 5:17 (ESV) declares, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” And in John 8:12 Jesus announces, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We learn in John 1:12-13 (NKJV), “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And in John 14:6 (HCSB) Jesus teaches us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
We give gifts to our family and loved ones on Christmas day because gifts were given to Jesus to celebrate the arrival of our Savior. Today is a day of celebration – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus; but it is not a celebration that we should just celebrate today but every day. It is a day in which we celebrate our salvation in Christ Jesus whom You sent to save the world from sin. But it is a day in which we can only truly celebrate if we put our trust in Him – if we open our hearts to Him and ask of His forgiveness for our sins. It is a day in which we proclaim Jesus our Savior and vow to strive each day to follow the commandment that He gives declaring the “Great Commandment” in Matthew 22:37-40 to love You LORD with all our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbor as ourself. He then sets the example of this in His life and ministry on this earth, and He declares in John 13:34-35 (NKJV), “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” By this we are able to experience new life in Christ Jesus and receive Your Holy Spirit into our hearts to be our guide through this life and into eternity in heaven with You. Jesus teaches us in John 14:15 (HCSB), “If you love Me, you will keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth.” And He goes on in John 14:26 to promise us, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit – the Father will send Him in My name – will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” Thank You LORD for Christmas day – the day You sent salvation to all who will believe in You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.