Jesus Christ, is the greatest gift, given to the world, by the greatest Giver.How do we respond to Him?How did those in the biblical Christmas story respond to His presence?
Look at Mary’s response to the presence of Christ. It is a response of WONDER. Luke 2:19-“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
There was a response on the inside of Mary, deep within her heart.She was moved that it was happening inside of her.In this particular verse, she was moved, but moved to be still and marvel at the miracle and mysteries of God. It was a response no-one but Mary and God knew about.It was a quiet, deep, profound response.
There is wonder in the presence of God.To think that God loves me so much that He would do whatever it takes to
show that to me and to rescue me from my sin, from my depravity, is “wonderful.”Will you respond with me this Christmas in wonder at the wonderful God we serve?Spend some time thinking about Him and His gift and what it means for you and your family.Allow His presence in your personal plans and preparation to cause you to stop and wonder again at the miracle of the birth of Christ.
The second response we could choose this Christmas is WORSHIP.
Matthew 2:11-12-On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Notice that when the Wisemen were in the presence of Jesus they made a presentation themselves.They bowed down and worshiped Jesus.Worship is the right thing to do in response to the presence of God.
Notice that the Wisemen went home a different way than the way they came.I wonder if it was out of their way to do so.I wonder if it meant extra time and effort to do so.Who would want to go a different, uncharted way?I do not believe I am reading into the text or adding to the text when I make this statement.When we respond to the presence of Christ in worship, there will be a willingness on our part to do life differently.
Last, I would say to you that responding to the presence of Christ will involve testifying to others about Him. Mary wondered.The Wisemen worshiped, and the Shepherds WITNESSED. Before you come to Christ the most important thing you can do is come to Christ and after you come to Christ the most important thing you can do is tell others about Him.
Luke 2:15-18-15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Our response to the presence of Christ as His witnesses can help enable the response of other people!This Christmas Season can you make up your mind to respond to the presence of Christ by helping other people become aware of His presence?Our job is to move every person we see just a little closer to the manger.
Some of you need to spend some time in wonder.Maybe it has been a long time since you were in awe of what God has done for you.Ask for a fresh revelation of God’s love.Ask for a new sense of wonder to be infused in your life this Christmas.Some of you need to respond to Christ’s presence in worship.Maybe the Spirit has prompted you to sing or bow or kneel or weep or raise a hand or make a change in your daily life that you simply keep resisting.There is no worship without being responsive to what God is prompting you to do or become.
Perhaps some of you need God to show you how to witness.Maybe you are willing, but you just need a nudge, an open door, or some help in knowing where to start.If God is speaking to you about your need to honor Him with your words before others, respond today with a willingness to do so.
In all of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, remember that what is most important isn’t the little baby in the manger, but your response to Jesus’ desire to be at work in your life through wonder, worship, and your witness.
