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Special
feature from LDN's Worship Guide
Follow the Magi
By Pastor
Robert Henderson,
First Baptist Church of Lincoln
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[December 19, 2013]
"On
coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and
they worshiped him. Then they presented him with gifts of gold, and
of incense and of myrrh." — Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
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 A wonderful study could take place on the implications of this short
verse describing the arrival of the Magi. For instance, the textual
implications that the "child" Jesus was found in a "house" and that
the number of the Magi is never mentioned could lead to the
deconstruction of the Christmas narrative so that the implications
of tradition, culture and biblical scholarship could take place. But
this would only serve to take out of focus the powerful message that
the verse holds for us today.Instead, we are to listen carefully
(as you reread the above verse) to the distilled message that the
verse so wonderfully gives.
First, we are to journey this Christmas season to those places
that provide us with an opportunity to worship the one who has come
into the world — that is, Jesus, the Savior of the world. I would
encourage you to spend time amidst this season of Christmas in
worship. Sing songs of praise, bend your knee in prayer, and open
your heart to the words that God has prepared for you by your
minister or priest. Find yourself in your local parish to share in
the power of the Christmas message. Accept my invitation to worship
with us if you do not have a local church. You are welcome.
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 Second, follow the example of the Magi by giving a gift to God.
Support your local parish with a donation. Ring the bell for the
Salvation Army Red Kettle drive. Buy a present for child named on
the Angel Tree. Give a "light" as part of the Light Up A Life
campaign. Make a donation to one of the food pantries. Offer to
become a volunteer at a local nursing home for the month of
December. Find a place of service and dedicate this as a gift to
God.
As James, the brother of Jesus, writes: "Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans
and widows in their distress." — James 1:27a (NIV).
Follow the example of those who followed the star. Worship and
give so that others may know the meaning and the power of the
Christmas message.
Peace.
[By Pastor ROBERT HENDERSON, First
Baptist Church of Lincoln]
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