MONDAY
Our Advent series this year is titled Worship the King. As we transition from the book of Revelation to the Christmas story, we are struck by the stark contrast in how Jesus is portrayed. In Revelation, he is often depicted as glorious and powerful, while in the Christmas story, he appears as a humble baby born into a poor family. This contrast is profound, yet both images inspire worship. Jesus is our incarnate Savior, who identifies with us in our struggles, and he is also our exalted King, the Creator of the universe, the source of life, and the One who will return to judge the world.
In this series, we will explore scenes of worship surrounding the birth of Jesus. In the first century, the birth of a child was undoubtedly a cause for joy, as seen in the story of Elizabeth in the Christmas narrative. You can also see this with Hannah in the Old Testament. However, the birth of Jesus is something extraordinary—overflowing with joy and filled with worship, often directed toward the child Himself.
This week, we begin with the story of the magi. It’s one of the more unusual elements of an already extraordinary story. A virgin birth, angelic appearances, and a priest rendered mute are just a few of the remarkable aspects. Yet, because the Christmas story is so familiar to us (which is a blessing), we sometimes miss its profound mystery.
Matthew 2:1–2 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew introduces the magi with little explanation, raising many questions. Who are these men? Where did they come from? What is the star they followed? What does "magi" even mean? And why is this story included at all? While we’ll address some of these questions throughout the week, this account is enveloped in mystery and wonder. Interestingly, no other Gospel mentions the magi, and Matthew provides minimal backstory, focusing instead on the theological significance of their role. In the coming days, we’ll explore Matthew’s purpose in sharing this story.
For now, I encourage you to set aside skepticism and immerse yourself in the mystery and wonder of this narrative. Christmas is a season to rekindle our awe and worship. These events make it abundantly clear that God is doing something extraordinary. John’s Gospel frames the advent of Jesus as a new creation, echoing Genesis with the opening words, “In the beginning…” (John 1:1; Gen. 1:1). This is a monumental moment, and God orchestrates it through signs and wonders.
For Christians, wonder should always lead to worship. While God has revealed aspects of himself through creation and Scripture, much about Him remains beyond our understanding. This mystery should inspire awe, wonder, and ultimately, worship.
Instead of being captivated by fanciful myths like Santa Claus, let us be captivated by the wonder of God’s miraculous work in the advent of his Son. Let us marvel at the Word made flesh, stand in awe of the virgin birth, and ponder the mystery of the magi’s arrival. And like those magi, let us bow in worship before the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Reflection
Today I would invite you to reflect on the connection between wonder and worship as it relates to God in your life. Do you find wonder leading you to worship?