Wednesday Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Key Verse: Matthew 2:2
2 saying, Where is He who is born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
Devotion:
Well, if you haven’t noticed all the Christmas decorations going up by now then I’m pretty sure that you have had your eyes closed. This is the time when we see big changes in our streets and in the shopping arcades; when commercialisation sets in and starts to try to take over Christmas once again. You may turn round and side with the advertisers and say that they have to make a living. You may turn round and side with the businesses and say that they have to make a living. But how many of you will side with the churches and say that they have to be full?
When we look around us we see all manner of things to remind us that Christmas is almost upon us. We hear the music change and may even get to start hearing a band or two spark up with a Christmas Carol or two on the streets. We hear about Christmas plays being put on in churches and we hear about them in some of our schools that may still be allowed to do that. But sadly the times are changing and so many institutions are being refused the right to bring forward the real meaning of Christmas. So do we turn round and say “let the companies have it” and walk away?
Heaven forbid if we should turn our backs on our Lord and King! Let us never forget why we do celebrate Christmas. Let us never forget who it was that was born around Christmas time over two thousand years ago! It is Christ that needs to be in our Christmas this year. It is because of Him that we are here and able to celebrate again this year. Yes there are all the shops, fairs, parties, trimmings, food, cards and all manner of things that we now associate with Christmas – but none of that would have been possible if it were not for Christ in the beginning. So this year whilst everyone else is running around re-charging the commercial engine that is now Christmas, let us step back and remember the real reason why we have Christmas and celebrate it with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Points to Ponder:
Are you ready for Christmas?
Have you remembered Christ?