Gifts for the King
Today's focusThe star leads the wise men to the child; filled with great joy, they bow down, worship him and offer gold, frankincense and myrrh, then return home another way.
Read
7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Reflection
The journey of the wise men reaches its beautiful conclusion as the star leads them to the very place "where the young child was." After traveling a long distance, their hearts are filled "with exceeding great joy" at the sight of the light standing over the house. This moment shows us that God is faithful to guide those who seek Him. When they finally enter and see the child with His mother, their first response is to fall down and worship Him.
Following this act of devotion, the wise men open their "treasures" to present Him with meaningful gifts: "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." These offerings represent the best of what they had to give to the young King. Like the travelers, you are invited to bring your own heart and life before Him in worship. Even when obstacles like Herod arise, God provides protection and direction. By being "warned of God in a dream," the men are safely guided to depart for their own country "another way," showing how a meeting with the Savior changes the path we walk.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What could you offer Jesus this year as an act of worship, as the wise men offered their treasures?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I bow before you with joy. I open my treasures to you — my time, my gifts and my heart. Lead me home by your way, not the way of the Herods of this world.