Matthew doesn't focus on Joseph and Mary's trip to Bethlehem or the actual birth of Jesus in a manger. Instead, the focus of these verses are the Magi from the east. They came to Jerusalem looking for the one born King of the Jews in order to worship him. This disturbed King Herod. He thought his kingdom was threatened by this new king. The chief priests and teachers of the law told him the baby would be born in Bethlehem, in Judea. And he deceived the Magi in order to learn the precise location of the baby. Herod's purpose in finding Jesus was nefarious. He secretly wanted to kill the baby.

But the purpose of the Magi was to worship. They followed the heaven-sent star and found the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshipped him and gave him kingly gifts. And when they had worshipped him, they left, overjoyed. This Christmas, let us discover the true way to come to Jesus. Let us humbly worship him as our King and Savior.


Application: Father, Jesus is worthy of our worship. Help us to seek him and to humbly bow down and worship him this Christmas.
One Word: Let us come and worship the baby Jesus