Preparing for Worship | Morning Routine for November 30

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” —Matthew 2:1–2 (ESV)

Welcome to the last day of November! Have you started to hear Christmas music? Put up lights? Maybe sang your first Christmas hymns of the season at church? Whether you enjoy gearing up for the Christmas season early or not, it is worth pausing to ensure your heart is properly prepared to worship the Newborn King, Jesus.

The magi, or ‘wise men’ as we often call them, are mysterious characters in the Christmas story. They are from ‘the east’, and seem to be astrologers of sorts, experts in interpreting the night sky. Matthew does not actually tell us their number—we do know they had three gifts. But one of the significant things we learn from today’s passage is why they came to find Jesus in the first place! A star was their sign, yes. But notice what they say: “we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” They had come to worship the king of the Jews, Jesus Christ. That’s it. That is the point of Christmas—worshipping, focusing on Jesus, the reason for the season. Is this cliché in Christian circles? Maybe, but its true. 

Take some time—perhaps when you get the car parked, or maybe tonight—and quiet your heart before the Lord. Lay aside the busyness of the season, the worries, the tasks. And ask the Lord to help your devotion to Jesus grow this Christmas season. Make it your goal to spend this week, then the next week, and two more after that, thinking afresh about the meaning of Christmas, of God sending His Son into the world. If you have students or children, consider a few ways you might be able to help them, like the wise men, seek our the Newborn King in order to worship Him this month!