This past Sunday began the season of Advent – the preparation in anticipation of Christ’s coming. I have fond memories as a young child celebrating Advent with my family, sitting around the dinner table, lighting the candles, and reflecting on the birth of our Savior. But for so many years, the Advent season has been pushed aside due to my busy schedule and what feels like the never-ending to-do list! As the holiday season was approaching this year, I found myself longing for the time to stop and reflect and began to make my plans to celebrate Advent and prepare my heart for the coming of my King.
Over the last week, I’ve been putting out my Christmas decorations which include my growing collection of nativities. As I arranged each set, I thought about the wise men and their dedication and commitment to finding the newborn king. For two years, the wise men journeyed in search of the “ruler who would shepherd Israel” (Micah 5:2). A journey like theirs takes dedication – you’ve got to be all in! They left home, possibly even their families, and went in search of the One the world was waiting for (even if the world didn’t realize it yet!). Read the end of their 2-year journey:
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11)
Two things strike me as I read this:
1. Their first response is to fall down and worship! Jesus is a 2-year-old boy depending on his parents for food and shelter and has yet to perform any miracles, and yet, the men saw a king who deserved their worship! Being on this side of the cross, how much more should I be ready to give Him mine?
2. They gave their treasures. The specific gifts they gave pointed to their knowledge of Christ as King (gold), Christ as God (frankincense), and to his death (myrrh), but as I read the familiar passage, the word “treasures” jumps out to me. In each season of life, we have different treasures to offer, whether money, time, or talents.
Our Advent: The Coming of Christ card set serves as a great reminder that we live in between Immanuel, “God with us,” (Matthew 1:23) and Maranatha, “Come Lord Jesus come,” (Revelation 22:20). So, this Advent season, my prayer for you and
me is that we prepare our hearts to worship the King and offer Him the treasures of our lives looking expectantly for His return!