This season when our worship is invaded by so many diversions and activities, it is good to remind our hearts as Christ-followers about the nature of true worship. The truths below might just transform the way you sing, pray, and enjoy this Christmastime.

Wise Men Really Do Still Seek Him

The mysterious Magi of Matthew 2:1-11 can inspire our true worship during this season of mass distraction. As we seek to have a Christ-honoring and spiritually meaningful Christmas, we can learn much from these Christ-seekers from the East.

Without too much speculation or detail, it is important to note a few facts about the Magi. These men were students of astrology and astronomy, probably from Persia (modern-day Iran). There is no evidence that there were only three, just that they brought three gifts. They were not from the Orient, nor were they kings. They likely rode on Arabian steeds rather than camels, as is traditionally depicted. They were likely aware of Balaam’s prophecy of the star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). We know that the Jews expected a star as a sign of the birth of the Messiah. Somehow, in God’s providence these Magi were aware and eager to understand more.

The Magi’s example of real worship is notable. Let’s see six characteristics that show us what it means to worship well at Christmas.

Six Keys to Experience True Christmas Worship (Matthew 2:1-11)

1. Acknowledgement (v. 2)

The account of the Magi’s worship journey begins with these words: “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 have seen His star in the East…’” Authentic celebrations of Christmas can only occur when we first acknowledge the identity and character of the centerpiece of the season. The wise men had been shown by God that the one they sought was not just another religious leader or political figure. He was the King of the Jews, spoken of in prophecy and anticipated by the faithful.

A.W. Tozer wrote, “The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.” Real Christmas worship involves a clear and accurate appreciation for who Christ is. As Warren Wiersbe said, “I am not worshipping Him because of what He will do for me, but because of what He is to me.” Worship begins by acknowledging Jesus for who He really is.

“The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.” A.W. Tozer

The prophet Isaiah spoke of this anticipated King: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Nathanael, the prospective disciple, acknowledged the identity of the King when he said to Jesus, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel” (John 1:49). When He stood before Pilate at His trial, Christ testified, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice”( John 18:37). Someday in eternity, we will stand before this one who came as a baby on that Christmas night. His identity will be indisputable, “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’” (Revelation 19:16).

Someday in eternity, we will stand before this one who came as a baby on that Christmas night. His identity will be indisputable, “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’” (Revelation 19:16).

The Magi responded to the revelation given them, even though it was somewhat obscure and mysterious. We can’t help but feel astonishment as we observe their faith and determination to find and worship the young King.

This Christmas, thank the Lord for the full and glorious revelation you have received in His word, His son, and the beauty of His world. Worship Him in spirit and in truth, as His indwelling Spirit helps you to acknowledge Christ the Lord in this season of celebration.

2. Attention (v. 2)

These men were accustomed to gazing at the stars. Yet, they were able to recognize this unique star that would direct them to the Christ child. The passage tells us, “…For we have seen His star in the East…” Among a countless array of stars in the sky, they were aware that they had seen “His star.”

Every Christmas we face the challenge of missing the moment of worship because there are so very many distractions that dull our sensitivity to the central message of Christ. Myriads of lights, commercials, traffic jams and activities can keep us from paying attention to His person and message. This Christmas, don’t let the confusion of the busy season, the attraction of materialism, the temptations of your heart, or the mere religious activities distract you from giving full concentration to the one who is worthy of your undivided attention and worship.

This Christmas, don’t let the confusion of the busy season, the attraction of materialism, the temptations of your heart, or the mere religious activities distract you from giving full concentration to the one who is worthy of your undivided attention and worship.

3. Action  (v. 2)

Notice the words of the Magi, “…and (we) have come to worship Him.” Having seen the star, these wise men were not content to worship from afar. They were determined to make the long trek to find the child. Their worship was more than acknowledgment and attentiveness – it resulted in sacrificial action. For them, it required the thoughtful preparation of gifts, the sacrifice of many days of travel, and the inconvenience of rearranging their lives and schedules.

My friend Jim Cymbala often says, “The highest expression of worship is sacrifice.” What thoughtful, sacrificial, and determined acts of worship will we engage in this Christmas? The New Testament tells us, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1). May the spirit of giving start with our worship of the King as we act in sincere adoration of Him.

“The highest expression of worship is sacrifice.” Jim Cymbala

4. Anticipation (vv. 9 & 10)

The passage tells us of the trap Herod was trying to set. After consulting with his advisors about the prophecies of the Messiah, and His future birth in Bethlehem, Herod told the Magi to go find the child. His intention was to use the Magi in order to locate and destroy this “king” who threatened Herod’s rule. As we know, God later warned the Magi to avoid Herod’s trap and go home by a different route.

After this initial interchange with Herod, the Bible says, “When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” 

God now directed these Magi in a very direct and supernatural way, with a stellar manifestation of His glory. The Magi rejoiced with inexpressible, abounding joy – not because of the star, but because of where the star would take them. Their joy was centered in the privilege of worshiping this young King. A.W. Tozer said, “We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.” This 24/7 preoccupation is one of great anticipation and joy, knowing how worthy our King is and how “worth it” it is to experience His person and presence.

Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” In Psalm 84:1-2 we read, “How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

May God give us a consistent anticipation for the joy of daily worship, leading to great rejoicing in our corporate worship – especially at the Christmas season.

5. Abandonment –   (v. 11)

Notice this profound commentary: “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.” What a powerful picture of true worship. These grown, dignified, and respected men see the young Jesus with His mother. In humble and utter abandonment, they fall on their faces in worship.

We all can relate to the temptation of worrying more about our dignity than His worthiness when we are in worship. We are often more conscious about the opinions of onlookers than the call of the Savior to praise Him in complete freedom and sincerity.

We all can relate to the temptation of worrying more about our dignity than His worthiness when we are in worship. We are often more conscious about the opinions of onlookers than the call of the Savior to praise Him in complete freedom and sincerity.

The Bible compels us abandon our souls and bodies to Him. “Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker” (Psalm 95:6). Revelation gives us a glimpse of our worship in Heaven. Surrounded by myriads and myriads of angels we will declare His worth with loud and unrestrained voices. In this futuristic biblical account it says, “the elders fell down and worshiped” (Revelation 5:11-14).

May our worship be so Christ-focused and unrestrained this Christmas season that we too will honor Him in sweet and sincere abandon.

6. Adoration (v. 11)

In the familiar narrative, we are told, “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” 

We’ve heard of the beautiful symbolism of these gifts. Gold was a gift for royalty. Christ is the King of the Jews and the King of Kings. Frankincense was an expensive fragrance used in worship. This symbolizes Christ’s deity. Myrrh seemed a strange gift for a newborn king as it was most commonly used for embalming the dead. Perhaps God led these Magi even in the selection of their gifts as this particular item pointed to His sacrificial death as Savior and Redeemer of the world.

This Christmas we should give our first and best gifts to the “guest of honor” at the birthday celebration. Will these gifts be thoughtful, sacrificial, and worthy of Christ? King David said,  “‘…I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver” (2 Samuel 24:24). In that same spirit, Paul reminds us, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

Let’s allow the revelation of all He is to evoke a response of all we are – in true Christmas worship. William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury in the mid-20^th century, said, “To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God and devote the will to the purpose of God.” Oh Lord, let this be the nature of our worship this Christmas – for our good, and Your glory! 

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God and devote the will to the purpose of God.” William Temple

© 2021 Daniel Henderson