From Advent Conspiracy ... "Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 21"

Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 21

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
Matthew 2:7-8

The plot is thickening as the anticipation of the coming savior, Jesus Christ, begins to attract a different audience. The magnitude of His birth is no longer just for worshipers. Now someone else is paying attention.

Have you ever noticed that as soon as you’ve focused your heart on Jesus, how much interference comes your way? Herod the soon to be originator of a death decree for all male children under two years old is beginning his quest with a question and some encouragement. The question is where is the King Child? The encouragement is go search carefully for Him. The beginning of treachery is wrapped around a desire to worship.

Even within the context of evil, God is sovereign. Herod has no desire to worship the newborn King, Jesus Christ. Instead he feels threatened by His arrival and he implements the treacherous plan to rid Jesus from the scene.

Can I stop you for a moment because it’s so easy to be appalled at Herod’s actions to kill off the Savior under the guise of wanting to worship; however, how’s our heart when it comes to complete surrender to God? What are we harboring in our heart? Are we giving Him our secret struggles?

Reflect

Worship is a heart issue. The secrets of our heart are known by God even if they are not articulated by us. Let’s do the opposite and let nothing be in competition with our sincere worship to God. We will search carefully for Him knowing He is to be found.

He wants to feed you, lead you, love and tenderly care for you.

Pray

God,

Help us to yield ourselves completely to You in worship. Let’s come boldly to You knowing You are fully aware of our brokenness and let us trust You in the midst of our competing interests. We surrender.

Amen.

---

Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.

Be part of a different story this Christmas, one that celebrates our King and brings hope to a watching world ...

• Worship Fully
• Spend Less
• Give More
• Love All

... and join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be—a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us.