The third in our series on Preparing for Christmas is on Worship. Christmas is all about the worship of Jesus Christ as King and Saviour. This was what the wise men that came from the East did. There are four things we can gather from the visit of the wise men and how they worshipped Jesus.
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Firstly, the wise men were persistent in their search for Jesus. They were unrelenting in seeking Jesus until they saw Him. Their coming was an acknowledgement that Jesus was the King and should be worshipped. The Magi, as they are called, endured a long journey from Persia to Bethlehem to meet Jesus, the King. They risked their lives for the sake of Jesus.

The Magi represent the nations of the world seeking the light and were guided by a star. They are Gentiles and do not know the Scriptures. However, they have alternative ways of knowing — the mystery of a star to find Jesus and dreams to “take a different way” to avoid Herod.

Secondly, when they arrived at the destination the star led them to, they rejoiced and said: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” They travelled this great distance to honour a King, yet there is a little irony in their great effort to honour the King of the Jews. At that time the Jewish people were often despised and dishonoured because of their unique customs and beliefs, and also often because of their success and prosperity. They were often thought of as a low, troublesome, and conquered race. It was remarkable that they would trouble themselves so much to honour an infant King, but even more so a King of the Jews.

Charles Spurgeon remarks that: “The shepherds did not miss their way; they came to Christ at once, while the wise men, even with a star to guide them, yet missed their way, and went to Jerusalem instead of to Bethlehem, and enquired at the Palace of Herod, instead of at the stable where the Christ was born.”

Thirdly, “When they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh: It was common – especially in the East – that one would never appear before royalty or a person of importance without bringing gifts. Considering who these wise men believed the young Child to be, it is not surprising that they gave such lavish gifts.

The idea that there were three wise men comes from the fact that there were three gifts. We may say that gold speaks of royalty, incense speaks of divinity, and myrrh speaks of death. Yet, it is almost certain that the Magi did this unawares; they simply wanted to honour the King of the Jews.

They presented gifts to Him: The precious gifts were not presented to Mary or Joseph, but to Jesus Himself. Yet undeniably, the infant Jesus did not use or spend any of these precious gifts, but His parents used them, hopefully wisely, on His behalf and benefit.

Fourthly, more important than their gifts is the fact that they worshipped Jesus. It must have been a curious sight to see these impressive dignitaries bowing before a young child. We see here three different responses to Jesus; one may say that all people respond in one of these three ways. Herod displayed an open hatred and hostility toward Jesus; the chief priests and the scribes were indifferent toward Jesus, all the while retaining their religious respectability; the wise men sought out Jesus and worshipped Him – even at great cost.

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