Worshipping the King

While Jesus' birth started low-key the worshippers were on their way. First an angel appears to the shepherds and announces the coming of the Savior. Then the heavenly host give those same shepherds a show to remember. The shepherds worship and that begins the procession. Jesus' birth was set apart, indeed.

Dec 12 | Dec 13 | Dec 14 | Dec 15 | Dec 16 | Dec 17 | Dec 18

December 12 - Calling the Shepherds

Key Verses: Luke 2:8-12

It is not surprising that God picked shepherds to announce to about the birth of the baby Jesus. From the 23rd Psalm to Jesus' reference of Himself as the Great Shepherd, we see the Lord describing Himself as a shepherd and us as His flock. But shepherds also were common folks. They were plain, hard-working people. Some folks were shepherds because they couldn't get work as anything else. As we look this week at the worship of Jesus, we'll see God called folks from all walks of life.

God did the announcement in grand style. He sent an angel to proclaim the message as the shepherds were in the field. Just as with Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph, a special messenger was dispatched. And the message to the shepherds was clear: this was the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. As God had the angel tell Joseph, the one to save His people from their sins.  This was one worthy of worship.

December 13 - The Heavenly Host Proclaim

Key Verses: Luke 2:13-14

The angel made the proclamation of Christ's birth and then the skies suddenly opened up. Having seen the angel and hearing the miraculous news, the shepherds were then treated to a large number of other angels all praising God. Imagine how the shepherds must have felt!

These were common men seeing the wonderful and hearing the unbelievable. However, God spared nothing in sharing the news of Jesus' birth. God could have sent a prophet, but He didn't. Instead He sent a whole host of angels to glorify His Son. The Father wanted to ensure there was no doubt who had born that day in the city of David. This was a day that truly changed the world!

December 14 - The Shepherds Worship

Key Verses: Luke 2:15-20

After hearing the announcement and seeing the praise of the angels, the shepherds left their flocks and hurried to find Jesus. Think about that for a second. So focused on seeing their Savior, they left behind their flocks, in other words their jobs and livelihood. For them, nothing was important than seeing the Messiah. 

The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby. They saw Jesus just as the angel described Him. And after they had come upon the three, they told Mary and Joseph about everything they had seen and heard. The Bible tells us Mary treasured their words and meditated on them. The words must have been powerful, indeed. But the shepherds didn't stop there. After they had visited and seen the Lord, they returned, praising God for what they had seen. The birth of Jesus was life changing.

December 15 - Simeon Celebrates

Key Verses: Luke 2:25-32

Simeon was described as a righteous and devout man. That means he was a faithful servant of God who truly worshipped and honored the Lord. The Bible tells us Simeon knew from God he would not die before seeing the Messiah, the Christ. Simeon had waited patiently for the one described as Israel's consolation.

Then one day, guided by the Holy Spirit, Simeon went to the temple. There he found Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple in accordance with the Law. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. The fulfillment of the ultimate promise, that Simeon would see Jesus with his own eyes, had been met. God had honored one of His faithful servants and for Simeon, his joy was complete. However, we won't stop there. We can also look at Simeon's prophetic words. In Simeon's praise the righteous man didn't just glorify God and he didn't just indicate Jesus was for Israel and Israel alone. Simeon also called Jesus "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" meaning Jesus had come for all nations and for all people. Each of us can accept Christ as Savior!

December 16 - Anna's Praise

Key Verses: Luke 2:36-38

In addition to Simeon, there was another at the temple who had been awaiting the Savior's birth. Her name was Anna and she was known as a prophetess. She spoke to the people of Israel about how they were doing in following God's commands. Nowadays we think of prophets as those who always tell the future, but that's not the meaning of the Biblical term. It means closer to a pastor or preacher or elder. This was a good description of Anna. We can read that she never left the temple but served God night and day in fasting and in prayer.

When Jesus came to the temple, she came up to Mary and Joseph and began thanking God. She, too, knew who this child was. She not only thanked God, but she also told others about who this baby was. Here Anna becomes closer to the term of prophet as we use it today. She was telling people about the baby's future: Jesus would redeem His people. It said she specifically talked to those who were looking forward to the redemption of the city of Jerusalem, but Christ's redemption didn't just stop with a city. He came to save His people, all who would accept Him, from their sins. 

December 17 - The Wise Men Seek Christ

Key Verses: Matthew 2:1-6

The shepherds were the common folk, and here we have the other end of the spectrum. These wise men from the east have also been described as kings or perhaps representatives of kings. From shepherds to angels to the devout and now to royalty, all manner of men sought to worship Jesus.  God sent His Son to call all men to Himself. The men from the east answered.

The Bible tells us the wise men stopped to find out exactly where to find Jesus. They had followed the star appearing in the sky in order to worship the Savior. Herod's own advisers knew exactly where to find this baby: in Bethlehem. Herod gave that information to these would-be worshippers of Christ. While we know Herod's reasons for doing so were evil, there is no doubt of the hearts of these wise men: they had come to bow down before Christ, the Lord. All people from all nations are called to God!

December 18 - The Wise Men Worship

Key Verses: Matthew 2:9-11

The Bible tells us they entered the house and saw Jesus with Mary. The wise men immediately fell to their knees and worshipped Him. Grown men humbled themselves before a baby. Imagine the scene! Yet they knew who this baby was and what He would do. He was worthy of all honor and glory and praise. They came bearing gifts to the Savior, gifts fit for a king. To these wise men, just as to the shepherds, to Simeon, and to Anna, nothing was more important than glorifying the Savior who had been born into the world. Praise God!