
      New clothes, variety of cakes, various programmes, beautiful greeting cards, decorated trees, new decisions - marks the season of Christmas today. Everyone is busy with everything. Joy fills the air during the season, and of course careful calculation and estimation of financial transactions at homes to work things out.
      But it is not the same for these wise-men (magi) who planned on a trip with the purpose of worshiping the King Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12. Focus on them as they focused on the star to find Jesus. Let's see how they can be relevant for our situation in 21st century.
Direct Questions:   They ask a question which was direct and pointed: "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?" Nothing worng with that question. What else to do when you don't know what to do? So you ask the question. What are the questions young people ask today? - What kind of clothes can I buy? What color? Where/Which shop? When to order foe cakes? How to decorate our home/Church differently this time? Many more....Nothing wrong with all those as such, but where those questions take us to?
Different place:   The wise-men (magi) went to the place of King Herod, thinking that Jesus might have been born there. Who told them that? - Our calculation, our wisdom, our thinking can mislead us at times. It is possible for you to be ended up in a wrong place like bars etc. ..during this season be careful!
Directing word:   Through the teachers of the law, the word comes to the magi. The word of God comes to those who are eager to know the direction. The Bible is the final authority when seeking the will and way of the Lord.
Deceptive plan:   The plan of Herod in asking the magi to go and worship Jesus is not a true plan, but it's a deception. The enemy can inject his deceptive plan into our situation during this season and even after. So beware!
Delightful approach:   What a joy for these wise men who reached Jesus. Of course, there is fulness of joy in worship - in His presence. Let this be true as you draw near to Jesus in worship.
Different route:   Whoever came to Jesus, their lives never be the same. Let worship change your life-style in this Christmas season and change your life's direction from bad company in the New Year.
      May God bless you!
      Joel Rajkumar.
      - Campus Crusade.

Back to December 2001 edition
Back to SLAM's Main page