Day 10: The Light Of The World Has Come ~ Advent Readings 2021 by Eve S

 

10^th Day of Advent – December 7^th, 2021

Week 2: Preparation (or waiting or prophecy) ~ Light 2 purple candles

 

Journey of Worship

Advent Hymn 🎼 We Three Kings Of Orient Are🎶

Composed in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City by John H. Hopkins, Jr. this was the first widely popular Christmas carol drafted in America. The three gifts declare Jesus as King, Priest, and Suffering Servant. Nowhere in Scripture are we told how many persons there were in the caravan, nor does the Bible indicate their names.

 

Verse 1
We Three Kings of Orient are,
    Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
        Field and fountain,
        Moor and mountain,
    Following yonder Star.

 

Verse 5
Glorious now behold Him arise,
    King, and God, and Sacrifice;
    Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
    Hallelujah the earth replies.
                       
CHORUS    
O Star of Wonder, Star of Night,
    Star with Royal Beauty bright,
            Westward leading,
            Still proceeding,
    Guide us to Thy perfect Light.

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Journey of Worship

The birth and early years of Jesus involved three journeys.

The first was the relocation of Joseph and his betrothed, pregnant Mary trekking five or more days 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem (which means House of Bread). This was in response to Caesar August’s census decree (Luke 2:1-5) requiring them to return to the city of Joseph’s roots.

The small village, just six miles south of Jerusalem, was crowded with the upheaval of many families. Most likely Joseph and Mary stayed with relatives, yet due to limited space at that time, the animal pen, beneath the family dwelling was the only place available.

Jesus, who later call Himself the Bread of Life (John 6:35), was born and placed in a manger and wrapped in the swaddling clothes. Swaddling clothes were used for first-born male lambs destined for sacrifice in the temple of Jerusalem.  

A second, shorter journey for the young family was from the manger to a house in Bethlehem, a more permanent dwelling for those beginning years.

The third journey was one of worship traversed by wise men from a distant country. They were directed to this residence by a star for they had followed for the purposed worship of Him who was born King of the Jews.

The journey of worship involves planning, yielding, sacrifice and even an offering of self which may include tangible gifts. The first Christmas - the celebration of Christ - was experienced by Jewish shepherds and the neighbors they told. The first Christmas gifts were brought to Bethlehem by travelers from a distant country. Their arrival was about 2 years after Christ’s birth:

¹Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

⁹ After listening to the king (Herod), they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  ~ Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11

Their precious and expensive offerings were a provision of God for this poor family their next journey to Egypt. The young family escaped to Egypt when King Herod’s paranoia enraged him as he ordered the murder of male children age two and under in Bethlehem and nearby towns in hopes to destroy Jesus.

 

What costly journeys have you made in life? Have you seen God’s hand of protection and provision provide for you? More importantly, how has your journey of faith included worship? The times, the places, the people, and the gifts surrounding God’s gift to the world beckon us to respond in with grateful thanksgiving.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You sent us a sacrificial love letter in the person of Jesus, our Bethlehem Lamb. He came to take away the sins of the world. May I be willing to offer a sacrifice of praise, worship, and thanksgiving for your indescribable gift as I journey on this earth.