Matthew 2:9–15 Christmas Traditions
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When 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And 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. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why people give each other gifts for Christmas?
This morning we are going to examin
Have you ever wondered why people decorate their house with unusual colored lights?
Is Christmas just a commercialized Holiday, or is there something more to it?
Is there some deeper meaning behind all these traditions?
Some Christmas traditions that
There are Christmas traditions that people have practiced for years, and many people don’t understand the symbolism behind the tradition, it is just something they have always done...
I think the same thing happened with the Jews also, where they
Transition: Let’s discover from God’s Word the true meaning of these Christmas Traditions
I. The Eastern Star
I. The Eastern Star
The first tradition I want to talk about is Christmas lights.
What is the meaning behind it?
Christmas lights represent the Eastern Star.
It was the Eastern Star (Like Christmas lights) that lit up the house where Jesus was living. The light identified the house and the location of the Messiah for the wise men.
When 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
1. The Star was for Guidance
1. The Star was for Guidance
This was no ordinary star.
“[the star] went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was...”
Stars are predictable. Stars are always in their place.
Stars are predictable.
This was a miracle. A miracle is an act that only God can do.
The star went before them to guide them to Jesus.
2. The Star brought Great Joy
2. The Star brought Great Joy
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Faith is going out to do what God wants you to do, without having all the answers. The wise men did not know exactly how this was going to work.
There was uncertainty among the wise men how they would find Jesus, but when the star appeared, they knew it would all work out!
The star is symbolic of God’s hand of supernatural blessing, protection, and guidance in our life.
Example: God answers a specific prayer that no one else knew about. The result is we rejoice!
II. The Gifts
II. The Gifts
The second tradition I want to talk about is giving gifts.
Why do so many do this around Christmastime?
And 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.
They presented their gifts to him. In the eastern nations, when they did homage to their kings, they made them presents.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
1. Gold
1. Gold
The wise men offered him gold, as a King, paying him tribute
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Is Jesus YOUR king?
Is Jesus YOUR king?
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
If Jesus is king, He will have authority in your life
If Jesus is king, He will have authority in your life
How well do you respond to the Word of God?
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
What is your attitude about God’s Word, is it the Word of the King, or is it just man’s words?
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
If Jesus is king, He will have the priority in your life
If Jesus is king, He will have the priority in your life
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
2. Frankincense
2. Frankincense
The wise men offered him frankincense, as God, for they honoured God with the smoke of incense
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
Prayer
The Need for Worship
The Need for Worship
The wise men came to worship him!
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Worship like love is an expression of the heart. We worship God in our hearts, but we express our worship by giving.
And 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.
Their Posture - they fell down (humility)
Their Presents - Gold , Frankincense, and Myrrh
Their Prayer
The Need for Prayer
The Need for Prayer
The Incense of Myrrh represents the prayers of believers
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Take time to pray! Talk to him, Thank him, and ask him for your daily needs
God wants to her from you, because you are His child!
God is not interested in the prayers of the wicked, unless it is a prayer of repentance
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
3. Myrrh
3. Myrrh
The wise men offered him myrrh, as a Man that should die, for myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies.
Myrrh is a reminder that Jesus was born to die. His life would be a sacrifice for our sins.
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
1. The Dream
1. The Dream
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
2. The Departure
2. The Departure
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
3. The Death
3. The Death
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.