A Baby Shower for Mary | A Christmas Message from Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1-7
¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

A Baby Shower for Mary
It’s a common tradition these days to have a baby shower for first time mothers.  This celebrates the special occasion, provides much needed baby gifts and supplies for the child. It’s also common for people to encourage the parents and offer helpful advice for raising a child.

It struck me that, probably, no one threw a baby shower for Mary.  The circumstances of her pregnancy were a scandal in the small town of Nazareth.  She was pregnant, out of wedlock, in a strict religious community where the penalty for that sin was being stoned to death. 

Joseph originally planned to break his engagement with Mary quietly (Matthew 1:19). But the Angel Gabriel convinced Joseph to stay with Mary and help her raise God’s Son, Jesus.

Still, Mary’s pregnancy was not the kind people in Judea would celebrate with a baby shower.  So, at a time when Mary needed her community's support the most, she had none.  In fact, she had to travel to Bethlehem with Joseph in the last stages of her pregnancy, because it would be too dangerous to stay in Nazareth without her husband where the “righteous” people of the town wanted to stone her.

 There was no baby shower for Mary.  

And that got me to thinking, what would we say to Mary if we threw her a baby shower? People love to give advice to first-time moms and dads.  And it can be quite helpful.

I asked people on Facebook what advice they would give to a first-time mom.  One guy said, “Don’t have a baby!”  HAHA!  I guess children aren’t for everyone.

A lot of great advice was shared, and I want to pass some of it along to you today. Even if you’re not a first-time mom, we all have a “baby” of some sort—something precious in our lives that needs care, attention, and love.

As I share this, think about what that “baby” might be for you. Maybe it’s a project, a relationship, a calling, or even your own spiritual growth. This advice can apply to any season of life where you’re nurturing something important.  

Take Care of Yourself: Nap when the “baby” naps.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Accept that you can’t do everything—give yourself grace.  It’s okay to rest and let things go; the house can wait.  Take time for self-care; a healthy mom is better for the baby.

Cherish the Moments: Enjoy every stage—it goes by quickly.  Take lots of pictures.  Don’t wish away the early days by rushing milestones.  Answer the toy phone when your toddler hands it to you.

Build Community: Find your “village”—family, friends, or church—to help.  Surround yourself with people who will support and encourage you.  Talk to others when you feel overwhelmed.

Trust Yourself: Trust your instincts and don’t compare yourself to others.  Everyone is learning as they go—there’s no “perfect” way.  Pray for your child and over your child.  Love is more important than being perfect.

Focus on What Matters: Model a life that treasures Christ.  Prioritize time with your child over housework.  Teach your child by example—prayer, kindness, and faith.  Don’t stress over the little things; focus on love and connection.

Embrace the Journey: Motherhood is overwhelming, but it’s also precious.  Comparison is the thief of joy—focus on your unique journey.  Give them roots and wings; prepare them for life while keeping home a safe place.  You’ll look back and cherish even the hardest moments.

Focusing on Mary
After asking my Facebook friends for advice for first-time mothers, I followed up with another question: “What advice would you give to Mary, the mother of Jesus, if you were at her baby shower?” That question stumped a lot of people—and I get it. How do you prepare someone to raise a child who is both God and man?

In many ways, Mary was just like any other mother. But she was also raising Jesus—the Son of God and the Savior of the world. That’s an overwhelming responsibility! Still, maybe the advice we’d offer Mary is something we need to hear for ourselves. There’s wisdom in her story that can guide us in our own lives.

Trust and Lean on God: Pray for guidance in all that you do. Listen and trust what God has revealed to you. Hold Jesus close in your heart and trust His plan. Have faith—God is faithful, and Jesus will come again!

Embrace the Moment: Life’s seasons can feel long in the moment, but they are brief in reality. Endure the hard times and savor the good. Treasure the moments of joy because your relationship with Christ is the most unique and precious one in the world.

Recognize the Mystery: There are many things about Jesus and God we may never fully understand—and that’s okay. Let the mystery deepen your faith, challenge you, and draw you closer to Him. Embrace the wonder of His love and grace.

Lean on Your Support: Submit your struggles to the Heavenly Father, and lean on the people God has placed in your life. Whether it’s your spouse, family, or friends, allow them to walk with you on the journey of faith.

A Heart of Gratitude: In all things, give thanks for the gift of Jesus. Let gratitude shape your heart and remind you daily of God’s incredible love.

Come. Repent. Be renewed. Jesus is waiting.
As we reflect on the advice we’d give Mary and the lessons we take for ourselves, there is one truth that surpasses all others. The most important gift we can receive—and the most important advice we can give—is to repent of our sins, be saved, and follow Jesus as Lord.

Christmas is full of love, joy, peace, and hope. But how can we fully embrace those gifts if our hearts are still far from God? If we are living in rebellion or simply drifting through life without Him, we’re missing the very reason Jesus came.

Jesus wasn’t born into this world just to be admired as a baby in a manger. He came to live, to die, and to rise again so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. His birth was the beginning of a journey that led to the cross—where He paid the price for our sins—and to the empty tomb, where He conquered death and offers eternal life.

If we ignore that invitation, we risk losing everything that truly matters. The joy and peace we long for can’t be found apart from Christ. Without Him, we face an eternity separated from God. But with Him, we are promised new life—both now and forever.

Tonight, as we prepare to gather at the altar for Holy Communion, let this be a moment of decision. As you kneel, bring more than just your presence—bring your heart. If there is sin that needs confessing, bring it to Jesus. If there is distance between you and God, close that gap. Don’t leave this place without knowing that your heart is right with Him.

Let this be the night you fully surrender to Christ. As we light candles and sing Silent Night, let each flame remind you that the Light of the World has come—and He invites you to walk with Him forever.

Come. Repent. Be renewed. Jesus is waiting.

Fight, Flight, or Follow | A Message Based on Matthew 2:13-18

Introduction
Thank you for coming to worship.  There are many other things you could be doing today, but you chose to be here despite the rain and nasty weather outside.  The Sunday after Christmas is typically the lowest attended Sunday of the year.  Many families travel, and the holiday exhaustion often leads to lower turnout the Sunday after Christmas.  Plus today, we have the wet weather.  My wife got called into work at the hospital today, so even she couldn’t be here.  But you are.  So, perhaps God has a special Word for you today.  I hope you hear Him.

The small crowd today is a big contrast to last Sunday for our wonderful Christmas cantata when so many people were here and also to the glory of the Christmas Eve service Tuesday, with a sanctuary full of beautiful candlelit faces.  But perhaps it is fitting today, because today we are reminded how the Christmas story took a dark turn.  Lest we naively think of Christ’s birth as only a sweet sentimental moment, the story today reminds us that Jesus’ family dealt with real life--poverty, misfortune, and the threat of death in ways we can only hope we never experience.  Let us turn then to their story from Matther 2:13-18.

Matthew 2:13-18
¹³ After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴ That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, ¹⁵ and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

¹⁶ Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. ¹⁷ Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸ “A cry was heard in Ramah—
    weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
    refusing to be comforted,
    for they are dead.”

Reponses to Danger
In this story we see two responses to a threat.  One is fight; the other is flight.  First, Herod felt threatened by the birth of the Messiah.  He responded by fighting to protect his throne.  In a murderous plot, he killed all the babies in Bethlehem.  The second response is modeled by Jesus’ family.  When the Angel of the Lord warned Jesus’ family of the plot, the responded to danger by fleeing to Egypt.  What a horrible and tragic story!  The birth of Christ is no fairytale.

The instinct common to most animals and humans when danger arises is fight or flight.  In an instant, a creature will choose—unconsciously—to either fight with vicious intensity or flee for safety as fast as it can.

But as I ponder this fight or flight mechanism, I realize there are a couple other options in the animal kingdom as well.  Some animals will simply freeze.  I’ve notice this in rabbits in my yard or when walking in the woods.  I have walked up on rabbits that were frozen so still, I hardly noticed them until I was within just a few feet.  Even deer, sometimes, when they see the bright headlights of an approaching car, will freeze unable to move—giving us the expression for people so surprised or frightened they cannot move or even think; they are “like a deer in headlights”.

Other animals will “play possum” like the opossum who may play dead when faced with a dangerous predator.  The “play dead” response tries to ward off danger by making the animal look so dead and unappealing the predator will leave them alone.  These instinctual responses can guide us as we think about our walk with Christ.

Fight: Standing up to the Enemy
Let’s look at the instinctual option to fight when faced danger.  In some instances, our first instinct to confront challenges head-on and stand up to the enemy.  We want to fight! I think of the strong-willed disciple Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane.  In John 18:10-11, when soldier came to arrest Jesus, Peters first instinct was to draw his sword and strike, slashing off the right ear of the high priest’s slave.  His fight reflex makes sense to many of us.  When faced with an enemy trying to take Jesus away, Peter wanted to fight.  But Jesus called for peace.  He said, “Put your sword back into its sheath.  Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”

Jesus also had the option to fight.  He could have called down 10,000 angels to defend Him, but Jesus knew God’s plan was for Him to be arrested and die to save the whole world.  Peter responded with unthinking instinct.  Jesus responded with reason and purpose and compassion.  Jesus followed God’s plan—even when it called for suffering.

Fighting is sometimes the right response.  But fighting in our own power is often futile.  And fighting for the wrong reasons (or for no reason at all) can be dangerous and destructive.  For those inclined to fight, you must recognize you are soldier in God’s army.  And a good soldier follows orders—knowing when to fight and when “put your sword back into its sheath.”  The key for good fighting soldiers is following the Lord’s orders.

For the fighters among us, is Jesus telling you to fight or “put your sword back in it’s sheath”?

Flight: Knowing When to Move
Sometimes, fleeing is the wise choice to preserve life or sanity.  The Angel of the Lord warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt.  It makes sense.  What kind of fight could Joseph and Mary put up against Herod’s soldiers?  So, they fled.  But they didn’t just flee out of fear; they fled in obedience to God’s command.  So even though they were “fleeing”, they were also following the Lord’s command.

There are times God calls us to step away from toxic environments, harmful relationships, or dangerous situations.  For people with the natural inclination to flee, that’s welcome guidance from God.  They will gladly run away from a fight.  But it may be hard for those who are inclined to stay and fight.  But the choice to fight or flee is the Lord’s to make.  Our job as disciples of Christ is to follow the Lord’s commands. 

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice? 
Is He telling you to stay and fight or is He saying flee to Egypt?

Freeze: The Temptation to Do Nothing
Of course, we cannot forget the lessons from nature.  There are still two other possibilities besides fight or flight.  We may freeze up and do nothing.  Freezing can stem from fear or being overwhelmed.  I think about the story of Lot’s wife from Genesis 19:26. When God destroyed the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, He sent an angel to evacuate Lot’s family.  But as the family fled, Lot’s wife hesitated and looked back. 
How could she leave behind her home and the life she’d built?  Her hesitation to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and be saved froze her into a pillar of salt.

Fear can paralyze us; so can our hesitation to leave behind the sins of the past and follow God.  Even our reluctance to forgive others can leave us frozen and unable to heal.  Fear and hesitation keep us from moving forward in faith.  Are you stuck in place, afraid to step out in obedience and follow the Lord?

Play Dead: Avoiding Responsibility or Action
Or maybe you’re more like a nasty possum.  You just want to “play dead,” avoiding confrontation, avoiding responsibility, or avoiding the call of God.
If that’s you, you’re like the prophet Jonah who tried to escape God’s call by running in the opposite direction.  God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, he didn’t want to go.  Why should he preach repentance to the Ninevites?  Why should they have a chance to repent.  Jonah wanted them to be burned up by God’s wrath.  He wouldn’t preach to them.  And you probably know how that story ended.  Jonah ended up in the belly of a big stinky fish.

Ignoring God’s direction doesn’t make His call disappear.  And if we can learn anything from Jonah’s story, it’s that God will have His way, one way or another.  Are you pretending not to hear God’s voice? 
You better watch out.  There might be a big fish coming to swallow you!

Follow: The Way of Christ
All the instincts of the animal kingdom reside in our animal bodies.  But we were created to be more than animals.  We are called to be God’s royal priest.  We are to follow the Lord.  Let us then follow the Mary and Joseph’s example.  They fled because God told them to flee.  They followed God’s guidance, trusting that He would provide and protect. 

The same Spirit that told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt lives inside you if Jesus is your Lord.  God’s Holy Spirit dwells within you, guiding your steps, assuring you that God is with you.  In moments of danger, uncertainty, or fear, the best response is to listen and follow where God leads.

How Do We Listen to God’s Guidance?
You need to practice listening to God’s voice.  I hope you will take this seriously in 2025.  Train yourself to hear God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit.

• Stay Tuned to the Spirit: Through prayer, Scripture, and worship.
• Surround Yourself with Godly Counsel: Seek wise advice from trusted believers.
• Be Willing to Move or Surrender: Trust that God’s way is higher than our own.
• Act in Faith, Not Fear: Even if the path ahead is unclear, take the next step.

As we close today, I want to pray the Wesley Covenant Prayer together.  This is a traditional prayer that goes all the way back to the 1700s and John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who often led his congregations to pray this prayer on New Year’s Eve as an act of spiritual reflection and recommitment, allowing individuals to renew their covenant with God, surrendering their lives fully to His will.

As we pray this together today, I encourage you to pray with a sincere willingness to surrender your instinct to fight, flee, freeze, or play dead—and instead, commit yourself to follow Christ completely, wherever He leads.

The Wesley Covenant Prayer
Leader: I am no longer my own, but Yours.
People: Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will.

Leader: Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low for You.
People: Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

Leader: I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
People: And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it.

All Together: And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

The Song od the Savior | A Message from Luke 2:8-14

Introduction
We’ll have a short sermon today, because the main message is in the music the choir sings though our cantata.  Music is a divine gift that touches the soul in ways nothing else can. It reaches beyond words, stirring emotions and memories buried deep within us. I have a friend here in Dalton whose mother has Alzheimer’s.  She cannot remember much, but whenever my friend visits her in the nursing home, he brings a guitar and she plays and they sing together.  Somehow the music resets her memory and she remembers the songs they used to sing together when my friend was a boy.  Music is a language of the heart, bridging the gap between the seen and the unseen, the known and the mysterious.  Truly, music reflects the beauty and creativity of our Creator. 

I want to read a passage from Luke 2:8-14 about the heavenly music that announced the Savior’s birth.

Luke 2:8-14
⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

The Message in the Music
Did you know, this is the only time recorded in Scripture where angels sang music to humans on earth?  There are several places where the Bible records heavenly being singing or playing music in heaven, but this is the only time the angels sang to people on earth.

And as they sang, they proclaimed glory to God and peace on earth.  The birth of Christ was a unique moment in history when Heaven broke through to shower God’s glory on earth as the angels announced the Son of God’s birth.  God became a human and was born as a baby.

The angels' song highlights Jesus as the bringer of peace and reconciliation.  True peace comes not from circumstances, but through the Savior’s presence in our lives.  The Holy Family’s circumstances were not the best.  A pregnant mother in painful labor. 

A worried husband unable to provide for his wife and newborn child. 
A stable filled with sounds and smells farm animals. 
And only a manger full of straw for the baby’s bed.
These are not peaceful circumstances.
Yet the angels sang:  “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and peace comes when we walk with Him through the storms of life. 

Joining the Angelic Song
Just as the angels worshipped, we are invited to lift our voices in praise.  Our choir’s cantata is a way to echo this angelic celebration, glorifying God together.  You may notice, all the songs today focus on the baby.  May our music help you focus on this miraculous child who was conceived by the Holy, born of a virgin, suffered under Pontious Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried and who rose again on the third day, who will come again one day to judge the living and the dead.  Let the message of Christ’s birth inspire joy and peace in your heart beyond today.  How can we bring the song of hope and peace to others this Christmas season and all year long?

The Gifts We Bring | A Sermon from Matthew 2:7-11

Introduction
During Advent this year, we’re focusing on the story of the Wisemen who visited baby Jesus.  The Wisemen traveled a long way to worship Jesus, and when they found Him, they didn’t come empty-handed. They brought gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—to honor Him as their King. Today, we’ll look at their example and think about the gifts we can bring to Jesus. How can we give Him the best of our time, talents, and treasures? And how can we make our lives a gift of worship to Him?

Matthew 2:7-11
⁷ Then Herod called for a private meeting with the Wisemen, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸ Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

⁹ After this interview the Wisemen went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

True vs. False Worship
Last week, we learned that King Herod was a paranoid and ruthless tyrant, willing to kill anyone to keep his power. When the Wisemen arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” it sent shockwaves through the city. A new king? That was a dangerous and risky question. Herod had already killed his wife, his own son, and dozens of other people to protect his throne. What terrible actions might this news from strangers in the East bring to Jerusalem?

But Herod, always the cunning and deceitful schemer, hid his true intentions behind a fake smile. He lied to the Wisemen, saying, “I want to go worship him too!” In reality, Herod’s plan was to find Jesus and kill Him, eliminating any threat to his throne.

Herod pretended to want to worship Jesus, but his true motive was to eliminate a threat to his power. Sadly, some people today also fake their worship of Jesus. They may say they worship Him, and they might even think they do, but their actions reveal a different motive. Instead of surrendering to Jesus, they try to use Him—to control, manipulate, or get something they want. That’s not true worship.

False worship is self-centered. It focuses on what we can gain, how we can benefit, or how Jesus fits into our plans. It seeks to control rather than submit.

True worship is God-centered. It’s about honoring Jesus for who He is—our Savior, our King, and our Lord. True worship surrenders everything to Him with humility, love, and devotion.  I often see people treating Jesus as little more than a good luck charm…

So, what about you? Is your worship real? Are you approaching Jesus with a heart that seeks to honor Him, or are you trying to fit Him into your own plans?  What is your true attitude in worship?

The Wisemen’s Gifts
The Wisemen followed the star to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and the baby, Jesus. The Bible says they bowed down, worshipped Him, and opened their treasure chests to present Him with gifts.

The New Living Translation (NLT) uses the phrase “treasure chest,” which is an interesting way to describe it. My mom recently told me that one of her most cherished possessions is a wooden chest her dad built. Inside, she keeps precious keepsakes like photos, newspaper clippings, baby shoes, and other mementos. These items aren’t worth much money, but they are treasures to her. In that sense, her chest really is a treasure chest.

The Wisemen also brought treasure chests, but theirs held the most valuable things they had—gifts they wanted to give to the newborn King.  They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When we worship, we’re called to give Christ our very best. So, what’s in your treasure chest that you want to offer to Jesus? Is it your time, your talents, or your resources? What will you give to honor the King?

Gold
The Wisemen brought gold as a gift for Jesus because it symbolized royalty and honor. Gold was and is a precious and rare metal, often associated with kings and their wealth. By offering gold, the Wisemen were declaring that Jesus was no ordinary child—He was the King of the Jews, the long-awaited Messiah.  Indeed, He was Lord of all.  Remember, the Wisemen were not from Israel.  They had no obligation to give tribute to a king of Israel.  Their visit and gifts signified they recognized Jesus as Lord of all the earth.  He was the King of kings!

But gold wasn’t just a symbol of Jesus’ kingship; it was also a practical gift. It could have provided Mary and Joseph with the resources they needed to flee to Egypt when Herod sought to kill Jesus. This shows us that God’s provision is not only symbolic but also practical, meeting needs in real and tangible ways.

The gift of gold reminds us to honor Jesus as our King. Just as the Wisemen gave their best to Jesus, we are called to offer Him our very best—our time, talents, and treasures—as an act of worship and recognition of His rule in our lives.

Frankincense
The Wisemen brought frankincense as a gift for Jesus, a choice rich with spiritual meaning. Frankincense was a valuable resin often used in temple worship as part of the incense burned before God. It symbolized prayer, worship, and the divine presence of God.

By offering frankincense, the Wisemen were acknowledging Jesus not just as a King, but as divine. This gift pointed to His role as the Great High Priest, the one who would bridge the gap between God and humanity. It reminds us that Jesus is worthy of our worship, for He is God in the flesh, come to dwell among us.

The gift of frankincense challenges us to reflect on our worship. Are we offering our lives as a fragrant offering to Him? Just as the Wisemen bowed before Jesus with their gifts, we are invited to bow before Him in awe and worship, honoring Him as our Savior and Lord.

Myrrh
The Wisemen brought myrrh as a gift for Jesus, and it carried deep symbolism. Myrrh was a valuable resin used in perfumes, anointing oils, and burial preparations. By offering myrrh, the Wisemen pointed to Jesus’ future mission as the Savior who would suffer and die for the sins of the world.

Myrrh’s connection to burial foreshadowed the sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross. Even as a child, this gift recognized His ultimate purpose: to save humanity through His death and resurrection. It reminds us that Jesus was born not just to live among us but to give His life for us.

The gift of myrrh challenges us to consider how we honor Jesus’ sacrifice. Are we willing to give Him our whole lives in response to the love and grace He has shown us? Just as the Wisemen offered myrrh, we are called to offer ourselves completely to the One who gave everything for us.

What Can You Bring the King?
The Wisemen brought their best gifts to Jesus—gold for a King, frankincense for the Divine, and myrrh for the Savior who would sacrifice Himself for the world. Their offerings weren’t just valuable treasures; they were acts of worship, symbols of their devotion and recognition of who Jesus is.

So, what about us? What gifts are we bringing to Jesus? True worship isn’t about fancy presents or extravagant gestures. It’s about offering Jesus the best of who we are—our time, our talents, our resources, and most importantly, our hearts. Every day, in the way we live, speak, and serve, we have the chance to offer gifts to Jesus that honor Him as our King, Savior, and Lord.

As we prepare for Christmas, I challenge you to reflect on what you are giving to Jesus. Are you holding back, or are you giving Him your best? Think about how you can offer your time in prayer and worship, your talents to serve others, and your resources to build His Kingdom.

The Wisemen traveled far and gave generously to worship Jesus.  What will you bring to Him today?

Song - “The Little Drummer Boy”
Come they told me, parrrumpapumpum, 
a new born King to see, parrrumpapumpum.
Our finest gifts we bring, parrrumpapumpum,
to lay before the King, parrrumpapumpum, rumpapumpum, rumpapumpum.
So to honor Him, parrrumpapumpum, when we come.
Little Baby, parrrumpapumpum,
I am a poor boy too, parrrumpapumpum,
I have no gift to bring, parrrumpapumpum,
that’s fit to give a King, parrrumpapumpum, rumpapumpum, rumpapumpum.
Shall I play for you, parrrumpapumpum, on my drum.
Mary nodded yes, parrrumpapumpum. 

The ox and lamb kept time, parrrumpapumpum.
I played my drum for him, parrrumpapumpum.
I played my best for him, parrrumpapumpum, rumpapumpum, rumpapumpum.
Then he smiled at me, parrrumpapum pum—me and my drum.

Seeking the King | A Sermon on Matthew 2:1-6

Introduction
Last Sunday, I challenged you to come to the church once a week during Advent and spend some time praying in the newly renovated prayer room.  Have you been doing it?  This is a great challenge to help us draw closer to Christ during Advent.

There are four Sundays in Advent–the four Sundays just prior to Christmas.  Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation for Christmas.  But Advent is a dual purpose season, because it recognizes that just as Jesus came and was born as an infant in a manger, He will come again as a king in the clouds on the day of judgment.  So, we are preparing for Christmas, but we are also preparing for the second coming of Christ.

Perhaps this adds a little incentive to your preparations this Christmas.  Yes, there are presents to buy, decorations to put out, and all kinds of things to prepare for in this busy holiday season.  However, the most important thing we need to be ready for is when Jesus returns.  And I can assure you, Jesus will come for you in your lifetime.  Either he will come in the clouds to bring His Kingdom to all the earth on the last day, or He will come for you personally when you take your last breath.  Either way, you will meet Him face to face.  Will you be ready?

For Advent this year, the Lord led me to study the story of the Wisemen who came from the east.

Matthew 2:1-6
¹ Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

³ King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴ He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

⁶ ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

“Where is the newborn king?”
In ancient times, it was common to keep track of the years by relating them to the reigns of different kings.  That’s why Matthew starts out this chapter by saying Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod.  Matthew wrote these words decades after King Herod was dead and gone, but everyone could remember his ruthless reign.

King Herod was known for being ruthless and paranoid, willing to do anything to keep his throne. He even executed members of his own family, including his wife and her two sons, as well as his own son. When Herod felt his authority was challenged, he acted without mercy. He had Israel’s high priest assassinated and ordered the execution of 46 members of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. Herod ruled with an iron fist and made it clear that no one could stand in his way.

It was during King Herod’s ruthless reign that the Wisemen showed up in Jerusalem seeking a new King: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

They were talking about Jesus, who is a special kind of King.  Jesus is the kind of King heralded in the Heavens; a brand-new star was added to the sky as a sign of His birth!  And His coming is so profound, Magi traveled thousands of miles from Persia to worship Him!  Jesus is the kind of King Herod could never be.  No matter how merciless and violent Herod was, no one would voluntarily travel from a thousand miles away to adore him.

Who or what is the “king” in your life right now? Are there things like success, fear, or the need for control that you’re holding onto so tightly that they influence your decisions, just like Herod clung to his throne? This Advent season, God might be challenging you to take a closer look at your life and think about the things you’re allowing to rule your heart. Are they drawing you closer to Him, or are they keeping you from fully trusting His plan?

“King Herod was deeply disturbed…”
Verse 3 says, “King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.” Knowing how paranoid Herod was and how far he would go to hold onto power, imagine how upset he must have been when strangers arrived asking about a “new” king. The people in Jerusalem, who were already used to tiptoeing around Herod’s temper, were likely terrified. They must have been panicking, wondering how this shocking news would shake up their lives and what Herod might do in response.

When Jesus comes into your life, it may shake some things up. It changes your values. It changes the way you think, the way you act, and the way you see the world. Suddenly, the things that once seemed so important—like power, wealth, or popularity—don’t hold the same value anymore. Instead, you begin to align your heart with God’s priorities: love, mercy, humility, and faithfulness. But this transformation isn’t always easy. It can create an inner conflict as your old ways of thinking and living clash with the new life Christ is calling you to.

This change can also cause tension with family and friends and a worldly community around you who don’t share your faith or who still follow the "old rulers" of this world, like selfish ambition or materialism. They may not understand your new priorities or why you no longer chase the same goals. Just as Jesus' arrival disturbed King Herod and the people of Jerusalem, your decision to follow Jesus might disturb the people around you. But don’t let that discourage you. God’s ways are always better, and as you walk with Him, you’ll find peace, purpose, and the strength to endure. Transformation is never easy, but the joy of living in Christ’s light is worth every challenge.

“And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.”

This prophecy from Micah was written about 700 years before Jesus was born. At the time, the powerful leaders in Jerusalem didn’t know or expect the Messiah would come from a small town like Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a humble, unimportant village—certainly not the kind of place where anyone would think a king would be born. But God chose it as the birthplace of the greatest ruler in history, showing us that He doesn’t use worldly standards like wealth, power, or status to measure greatness. Instead, God works through the small, the humble, and the overlooked to do extraordinary things.  Do you ever feel small or humble or overwhelemed?

You might feel small, unimportant, or unworthy, but God has a purpose for your life. Just as He chose Bethlehem to bring forth the Savior, He can use your unique story, your gifts, and even your struggles to accomplish His plans. The ruler born in Bethlehem wasn’t just a king—He was also a shepherd, leading and caring for His people with love. Will you trust Him to lead you and allow Him to work through your life in ways greater than you can imagine?

Closing
As we reflect on the story of the Wise Men and their journey to seek the newborn King, we are reminded that following Jesus often requires us to let go of the things that rule our lives. The Wise Men left the comfort of their homes, traveled great distances, and endured hardships, all to worship the true King. Their journey challenges us to ask: are we willing to set aside our own ambitions, our fears, or our distractions to seek Jesus fully?

Jesus came to offer us something far greater than the world’s fleeting treasures. But this journey often shakes us, transforms us, and challenges our relationships and priorities. Yet, the rewards are eternal—peace, purpose, and an eternal relationship with the King who lovingly shepherds His people. Will you seek Him today and let Him be the ruler of your heart and life?

I invite you to take a moment of silence to reflect on what you need to surrender to Jesus today. Take 60 seconds to ask Him to reveal anything holding you back from fully following Him.  Then, we will close with a responsive reading.

A Prayer of Surrender
Leader: Lord, we come before You, recognizing that You are the true King of our lives.
People: We surrender to You, Lord. Be the ruler of our hearts.

Leader: Forgive us for the times we have held onto fear, control, or selfish ambition.
People: We release these things to You, trusting in Your perfect plan.

Leader: Help us to let go of the things that keep us from fully following You.
People: Teach us to seek You with our whole hearts.

Leader: When the journey is hard and the path is unclear, give us the courage to follow You.
People: Strengthen our faith and lead us in Your ways.

Leader: You are our Shepherd, guiding us with love and care.
People: We trust You to lead us, even when it’s hard to see the way.

Leader: Today, we surrender our lives to You. Shape us into who You’ve called us to be.
People: We are Yours, Lord. Use us for Your glory.

Leader: Let our lives reflect Your light, drawing others to know and worship You.
People: We surrender to You, Lord, our King and Shepherd. Amen.