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There is a powerful story about worship recorded in the Bible in Matthew 2:1-12. Here we have the account of men from a religious class from the region of Iran. They specialized in astrology, medicine, and natural science.  (their study of astrology was not the same as modern astrology)

 

These men set out on a mission to find the King of the Jews and to worship Him. "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."  (verse 2)

 

These were scholars who had to travel many days and miles to find the Christ Child born in Bethlehem. Today, we do not have to travel to worship, but we can travel in our hearts by crossing over our attitudes and affections. We can rightly place Jesus Christ in the very center of our hearts so that pure devotion and worship spring forth. We can be like Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she rejoiced in her heart with worship and praise. Luke 1:46,47, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."


I love the word holiday. Just the thought of celebrating is something that I look forward to. The word comes from holy, plus day (a holy day).

1. It can be a day set aside for special religious observance

2. A day of freedom from work; especially one in commemoration of an event

3. A vacation

I am so glad that God loves holidays. He not only asked His people to observe His feast and festivals, but He planned the greatest holiday ever. It was "out of this world!" The holiday originated in heaven.

God planned two trips for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The first trip happened in very humble surroundings - a feed trough (open box for livestock feed) for the Savior's baby bed. Our Lord Jesus chose to lay down His royal robes for a season and allowed Himself to be wrapped in long strips of cloth (swaddling cloth for infants). We can easily see that a joyful Christmas holiday can be maintained by the lowly in heart (those who will humbly love and serve others).

The second trip that Christ will make will be the holiday of all holidays! (Talk about taking a break, celebrating with friends and family, dining in elegance...) The Second Coming of Christ will be a time that you will never forget. Put it on your calendar. You can make a reservation by placing your trust in the gift of Christ.  He is worthy of our celebration and praise.


Romans 8:6, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Romans 15:33, "Now the God of peace be with you all."

2 Peter 3:13,14, "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

I have never counted the times that the word "peace" is in the Bible, but I know that it rings and flows throughout the entire scope of the Bible. In fact, in the Old Testament, Isaiah states in chapter 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation that saith unto Zion - Thy God reigneth!"

The angels also gave a resounding cry of worship and praise as they proclaimed the birth of Christ,

"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TO MEN" (Luke 2:14).


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