His Arrival and Beyond (The Visit of the Magi)
Songs: Joy to the World / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
This is it. This is the week of Christmas. This is for what we have been waiting. The anticipation has been growing. I can’t wait to open my presents. Wait, I lost focus there for a little bit.
It is easy to get caught up in all of the fun “trappings”’ of the season and miss the whole reason for the anticipation. It is the anticipation of the Lord Jesus Himself. He is the whole reason we give gifts. It is all about the greatest gift that has ever been given. But as we think about his first Advent (coming), let us not forget that he is coming again. Live in anticipation.
We talk each year about not missing the reason for the season, but what do we do the rest of the year. We can have a great first advent celebration at Christmas but then think little about the Second Advent, his glorious return. Think about this for a moment. When Jesus came to earth, many did not recognize him as the Messiah because they were looking through the first advent to his second advent. They did not see two comings. They saw him as a conquering king and not as a suffering servant. They failed to see that he had to be the suffering servant before he would come back as conquering king. In some ways he conquered on the cross, but one day he will return to rule all.
The whole idea of “coming” which we celebrate in this advent season should make us think on the second coming of Jesus. Do you anticipate the Second Advent of Jesus? If not maybe the readings this week will help you anticipate him more.
The readings for this week are designed to lead us to worship Jesus. As you read these passages this week, be very intentional of not “missing the point” of it all.
Bible Readings:
The Visit of the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)
The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20)
Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:21-38)
The Preeminence of Jesus (Colossians 1:15-23)
Worthy is the Lamb (Revelation 5:1-14)
The Restoration of All Things (Revelation 21:1-7)
The Second Advent of Jesus (Revelation 22:6-21)
Questions for Discussion: As you reflect on this week’s Bible passages, here are some suggested questions that might help you reflect and talk about these things with your family and others.
1) What prevented Herod from recognizing Jesus as the true king? Why would others at that time have “missed the king?”
2) What makes this story of how Herod “missed the king” so tragic?
3) How do we try to remove the authority of Jesus from our lives today?
4) What do the circumstances of the birth of Jesus indicate about him?
5) How can you live in greater anticipation of the second coming of Christ?
Some of the questions and readings are adapted from Christ in Christmas: A Family Advent Celebration published by NavPress, © 1989