1.4.4 12.20.2020 We Brighten the Bleak Midwinter with Hopeful Worship Matthew 2.1-11

Start

Entice: With all of the cultural, national, social, community, and even, small-town traditions it is easy to forget that one of the essential ingredients of Christmas, perhaps the central motivation is

worship.

Engage: How do you, how will you worship Christ during this bleak midwinter, during this Advent filled with adversity, throughout this chaotic Christmas?

The Bible Certainly provides some precedent as Rosetti captures in her carol...

Angels and archangels May have gathered there,Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air, But only His mother In her maiden bliss, Worshipped the Beloved With a kiss.

Expand: The glorious hosts of heaven and the humble attentions of His mother were the beginnings of what will become Christian worship. Matthew records the coming of the Magi to participate in that expanding circle of adoration and looks forward to the universal worship which will be accorded the incarnate God.

Matthew 2:1–11 ESV

1 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, 2 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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Excite: There is a final question-a most important question we should ask all through Advent and which we should duly highlight this final Sunday before Christmas. How do I appropriate the example of worship and humble myself in worship to the coming King.

Explore:

Real worship at Christmas or at any other time or during any other season always requires courageous, hopeful humility.

Explain: The Magi provide a wonderful lesson in the hopeful humility at the heart of worship

Seeking

Go where you've never been

Asking

When you do not know

Following

When you need direction

Accepting

What cannot be understood

A Holy Reawakening:

Hope

and

Worship

Hope nourishes faith. Worship nourishes hope. Angels are nice but not necessary. The presence of wise men and shepherds, certainly lend that air of authenticity. But you and yours can share and extend the beauty Christmas and brighten the way for all you meet by worshipping hopefully He who is and was and who is coming.