December Devotions and Doodles – Day 15 (December 15)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would be born.
5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:
6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”
9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
December 15 Devotional: Gifts of Worship
Have you ever had a Christmas where you really wanted something? I mean, really, really badly wanted a particular gift. I am thinking of the movie “A Christmas Story” where the little boy wants a Red Ryder BB gun so bad for Christmas that it is all he thinks and talks about.
The Perfect Gift
Imagine waking up on Christmas morning and opening that one perfect gift that you have been longing for. Your heart nearly explodes with excitement and joy.
The Wise Men
These men were wise and educated. They came from far away, and yet they had researched and studied the historical texts of the Jewish people. They so thoroughly knew the Jewish texts that when this great star appeared in the sky, they recognized prophecy fulfilled.
No Empty Hands
These respected, wise, learned men did not just come to find the fulfillment of the prophecy and see Jesus as an exercise in academia. They brought gifts and came specifically with the purpose of worshiping the newly born Messiah. They did not come with empty hands. They brought carefully chosen presents for the baby King.
The Real Gift
However, their biggest gift is the gift of worship. They come and humble themselves before this King of the Jews and worship Him.
We see in their reaction to finding Jesus the real gift.
9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.
When the wise men see the star stop over the house, they are overwhelmed with joy. Like Christmas morning, when you finally receive that gift for which you have been longing. Overwhelming joy and excitement.
Jesus is the REAL GIFT. We bring our worship as a gift to Him. We may bring actual things that we sacrifice for Him, but He is the real gift this season.
December 15 – Action Step:
Today (December 15), let us bring our own gifts of worship in response to the greatest Gift ever – Jesus.
You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Come, seeking Him, and when you find Him, kneel down in worship. And experience the overwhelming joy of this season.
Prayer:
Dear God, Fill our hearts with overwhelming joy as we seek Jesus today. We bring our gift of worship this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Drawing Tutorial – December 15: How to draw the Wise Men
These little guys are so cute and super easy to draw!
- Start at the top with their hats in simple, fun shapes. Be sure to pay attention to the curve at the bottom of the hat.
- Strangely, this is the hardest part for me, so I separated it out into it’s own step. It is two short straight lines with a bump in each of them. Line the bumps up as much as you can (but don’t stress too much about it!)
- Beard time! The first man has scribble curls for a beard – leave a tiny space for the mouth. The second has large mustaches and a wide beard. The third one’s beard is an open heart with a loose “m” on top.
- Add simple eyes, noses, and mouths.
- Finish off with robes and a few decorations on the hats. Voila! Three Wise Men!
Click here to check out other posts in this series: December Devotions and Doodles!