Daily Devotional

When the Wrapping is Removed

By Dr. Marvin Moss
This week's topic: The Real Meaning Of Christmas

Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector who became one of Jesus’ disciples. Matthew masterfully manuscripted the messianic message presenting Jesus as the Messiah. It is in the second chapter of the book that we see Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem of Judea, during the reign of King Herod. This brings us to the first word of the worshipper:

You’ve got to worship in the meantime.

This is the prophecy being fulfilled as written in the Old Testament. The bible says that Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod. Herod was evil and murdered many in his own family. Herod was favored by many of the Jews because he made the temple larger and more beautiful. He did things, he gave them things, and in return they made him feel powerful. Yet, there has come another king, the True King, the King of Kings, and Herod is threatened. Herod was appointed by man, but Jesus had been appointed by the Master – God.

You’ve got to worship the right one.

The bible says that when the Wise Men arrived they asked for the Newborn King of the Jews. Herod had already been given the title the King of the Jews by the Romans. Yet, here come the wise men asking, Where is the Newborn King of Jews?

The wise men didn’t ask for Herod;
The wise men didn’t ask for food;
The wise men didn’t ask for a place to rest;
The question was – where is the Newborn King of Jews?

Prophecy bore out that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem of Judah. They stopped where Herod was sure to know about their intentions. The same Herod who wanted to kill Jesus could have killed the Wise Men too, if he wanted to. Yet they boldly in all of their wisdom still asked for the Newborn king of the Jews. Sometimes worshippers, even in the face of the devil, must let him know that you’re going to worship the Right One.
You’ve got to Worship, not Worry.

As the story goes in verse 7 of chapter 2, Herod called for a meeting with the Wise Men. He told them to go to Bethlehem and search for the child. The bible says that after this meeting, the star appeared to them again and guided them to Bethlehem and it stopped over the place where the child and his mother were.

They fell down on their face and they worshipped him.
They didn’t complain about how far they had to travel.
They didn’t complain about being tired or hungry.

They weren’t worried about Herod or Herod’s intentions. They worshipped Christ the savior. When it was time to go home, they went home another way. Here’s another word for a true worshipper:
You can’t go home the same way you came.

If you go home the same way you came, you haven’t been in worship. You’ve been in worry.
When we come into the presence of God, there should be a transformation.
My hopes might be handcuffed
My dreams deferred.

I might be dealing with somebody or something that’s just magnifying my misery, but I have been in worship. I have been in the presence of the Lord. My savior has come, my salvation is assured.
Joy to the world,
The lord is come
Let earth receive their king
Let every heart
Prepare him room
Let heaven and nature sing.
Words for the worshipper!

Scripture Of The Day: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” - Matthew 2:2 (NKJ)

The Reverend Dr. Marvin Anthony Moss is Senior Pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church. As a “Light in the Community,” Cascade places an emphasis on developing quality programs which nurture children and youth, and teaches the principles of giving time, talents and resources. Since his arrival in June 2006, more than 50 ministries perform…

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