So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.”’ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.’ 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. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

MATTHEW 2:5-11

PONDER THIS
As a boy, I once came into the kitchen as my mother was making a pie. I hung around to watch and wait. But in an instant, I had a moment of great disappointment. She opened the oven, and what she pulled out was a pie shell. She’d not put the filling in, but it was a lemon meringue pie. I didn’t understand how pies were made. Who would bake a nothing pie? That’s what the Old Testament is if disconnected from Jesus: just a pie with nothing in it. Jesus is the theme of the Bible. “Search the scriptures,” He says, “these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). And He showed them in the prophets, in the law, in Moses, and in the Psalms, all “the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).

He has shown you who He is, not just in the Gospel accounts or in the Christmas story, but throughout Scripture. The question this Christmas and every day is: How will we respond? The question is always, “What will you do with Jesus?” You accept Him or you reject Him. But one thing you cannot be with Jesus is neutral.

How are you responding to Jesus today?
Why is it important that we meet with Him and respond to Him every day, all year long?

PRACTICE THIS
As you celebrate Christmas today, worship Jesus through all the festivities.