On coming to the house, they saw the Child with his mother Mary, and they bowed and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and incense and of myrrh.  Matthew 2:11

I have recently been studying the

Christmas story, particularly the segment regarding the Magi’s search for the Christ Child. There is so much that inspires me about this account.

Although these wise men were gentile kings, somehow they had learned about the prophecy that Jesus would be born the King of the Jews. In other words, they had done their homework and followed it up with a diligent and fervent search for this great event. I understand that their pilgrimage to Jerusalem actually took several years. It most likely would have been very tempting for them to turn back because of the time span, and the challenging terrains and weather conditions that lay ahead. Yet they moved as men who were on a mission. And just what was this mission? Their solitary purpose was to worship the baby Jesus. I wonder if they faced ridicule as they inquired where this baby could be found? Whatever their situation, they were in it for the long-haul—not shrinking back and refusing to return to the east having failed to complete this mission. When they finally did reach the manger in which Jesus was born, they were able to consummate their search by first, giving themselves to Him, and then presenting Him with their precious material treasures.

I decided to do a study on the word, “worship” as used in Matthew 2:11 and I found that it means to kiss---like a dog licking his master’s hand. I thought it interesting that a dog would be the analogy used here. After all, dogs are loyal to their masters; they love them unconditionally and usually follow them wherever they go.

What about us? Oftentimes our loyalty is reserved for the seeking of that special gift for our husbands, children, or grandchildren. We diligently seek out the malls, catalogs, or go wherever and pay whatever we need to in order to make someone happy at Christmas. Oh, how wonderful it would be if we would seek Jesus with such diligence and tenacity! The Christmas season would take on a whole new meaning if we were willing to make it the starting point of going all out—ridicule or not—to worship the One who went all out for us.

The Magi were on to something big because although they were not Jewish, they are continuing to teach Christians today how we must seek God with all our heart. They teach us lessons about dying to self and making every effort to lay aside all things that would get in the way of our worshiping the one true God. Have you done your homework as you prepare for Christmas? If so, are you preparing for this great event with the same fervency and diligence of the Magi? During this Christmas season, will your sole purpose be to worship Jesus with that same kind of priority? It is my prayer that in all your Christmas preparations and celebrations that Christ will be at the very center of your life and worship.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that even in our times, we can still learn worship lessons from the Magi. Help us to desire that same kind of diligence and fervor as we worship you this Christmas. May this great lesson be but the beginning of our “licking your hand,” not only at Christmas, but also the other 364 days of the year. Amen.

Encouragement Tips:

• Call different friends/ family members and offer to pray for them. If they are not home, leave them a phone message. I do this on New Year’s Day and it has been a big hit!
• “Meals on Wheels”—Pack a lunch in a cooler and take to a widow, shut-in, or someone who recently had surgery.
• Pronounce blessings on the heads of your children, (young or grown up), loved ones, or friends for birthdays or any occasion.
• Birthdays—call the birthday person and pray a birthday prayer.
• Leave encouraging comments on your answering machine for incoming calls.
• Telemarketers—Encourage them by spending a few minutes talking to them. Offer to pray for them.
• Sit down and attentively listen to someone who calls with a problem. Let them know that you care enough to stop all activity to give them your undivided attention.
• Buy extra groceries when you do your own shopping to give to someone whom you know is in need.
• Stock up on pop-up canned goods, $.50 for a phone call, $1.00 in an envelope with a tract to give to a homeless person.
• Minister to a single woman or family who is new in the area and away from family. Invite to dinner or take a meal.
• Minister to a military family. Adopt them to be a part of your family.
• Help a younger woman by giving her a “Baby Sitting” coupon when she desires a date night with her husband.
• Mentor new Christians on a one-to-one basis or small group Bible study.