Wednesday, December 14 – Matthew 2:9-12

After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

There is something special about eating food that you have been craving for some time or arriving at your destination after a long journey. The food tastes better, and the destination is grander because it fulfilled more than a moment’s desire—it satisfied what you had been anticipating.

When the wise men arrived to see Jesus after their long journey, there was joy and celebration. Scripture says, “They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:10). Their search was over, and instead of being underwhelmed by the average home or viewing Jesus as an ordinary child, they saw Him with eyes of awe and wonder because they recognized Him as the Messiah, the King of the Jews, the One they had been searching for, and the One who fulfilled so many prophesies even in His humble home and ordinary appearance. During the holiday season, we might expect big changes and grand moments, after all nearly every Christmas movie has a moment of profound epiphany that brings everything together. God can work in this grand way, but we may also see Him work on an ordinary afternoon or in an ordinary conversation. May you have eyes to see where God is working during this season and a heart that is eager to see Him and worship Him like the wise men. He is in the still small voice, the simple act of kindness, and the quiet moment of reflection. When you pursue Him, desiring to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, you will be drawn into deeper awe of Him as the wise men were and join in their rejoicing.

• When has God worked in an ordinary moment in your life? What was that like?
• Do you look for opportunities to worship God? Why or why not?
• Pray and worship God for who He is and how He became Immanuel, God with us!