When They Saw The Child

WHEN THEY SAW THE CHILD THEY KNELT DOWN AND WORSHIPED HIM. Matthew 2.11.

Where are you going to this Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? I know you will not be spending your time in pubs and cabarets, drinking, revelling and carousing. You may be having your own Christmas parties and dinners with family and friends.

We had a Christmas dinner the other day at a friend’s house. It was a wonderful time of gathering of family and friends, taped Christmas music and carols, blessing for the food and a sumptuous dinner and gifts for all to follow. It was past midnight when we knocked off! All in all it was a wonderful Christmas Dinner party. Pity though, there wasn’t any special time set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

I was reading about the Magi, the wise men from the East (some say three), from Matthew’s gospel, “The wise men from the East, went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him”.

That was the first Christmas celebration, apart from the shepherds from the Judean fields who went earlier to Bethlehem the very night Christ was born. Notice the sequence of events as their celebration unfolds. Let that be part of our regular, yearly Christmas festival and celebration. They went to Jesus; they saw the Child; they knelt and worshipped Him; they opened their precious gifts and presented them to Jesus!

Dear Christian friend, consider how you are planning to celebrate Christmas. Think of the immense value of incorporating in our Christmas parties ‘a cake-cutting for Jesus and the singing of the ‘happy birthday song to Him!’ It may be unconventional and even appear odd! But why should it be? Isn’t it a birthday celebration just like any other? Because our fathers didn’t do it, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t start!

Most of all, by doing so, our own children who are growing up and our non-Christian neighbours and we ourselves would not miss the real reason for Christ-mas! Think of it. Break yourself loose from tradition! Let us set our focus on Jesus of Nazareth this Christmas season.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I know why I celebrate Christmas. It is Your birthday. Help me to make it centre on You so that all will know it is not just party time but Your birthday celebration. Amen.