Christmas Devotion # 6

Adore Him

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 and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11

During this season we hear a lot about remembering Jesus and the reason for the season. As Christians, we strive to keep Jesus as our focus amid the blaring consumerism. Yet, the wise men did far more than just remember Jesus. They worshiped and adored Him. We can take our cues from them.

First, the wise men sought Jesus. They didn't just stop in the middle of their day for a five minute devotion. They traveled a great distance, probably across rough terrain in harsh climates. Jesus became the "star" that consumed them to the point of forgetting all else. Their only aim during the Christmas season was to find Him and worship Him.

When the joyous moment came that they finally found Jesus, they bowed down before Him in humility. Picture this: These guys weren't vagabonds. They were considered "wise" men so they had some prestige and status. They could take time off from their jobs for an extended vacation and they came carrying expensive gifts so somebody had some money. I can't imagine that anything about Mary, the house she was in, or her infant was all that impressive to them in the natural. Yet, when they saw Jesus they willfully humbled themselves before Him.

They gave Jesus their very best. Indeed, they brought some cool gifts, but they had already given Him the best gifts of all, their time and complete devotion. They gave their best tangible gifts and they gave the best they had to offer of themselves. Nothing was held back from Jesus.

I think it's safe to say that they adored him. This is the dictionary definition of adoration: 1) a worshiping or paying homage as to a divinity 2) great love, devotion, and respect.

I challenge you during this Christmas season not to simply remember Jesus. Be wise. Adore Him.

Pray: Lord, we worship you. Nothing in this world or in this season compares with your awesome greatness. You are everything Jesus, our all in all.

Ponder: Follow the example of the wise men. Take time to get down on your knees before the Lord as an act of reverent humility. Present Him with your gift or worship and adoration.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm 95:6-7

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. I Chronicles 16:29

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.