Light for the World

Happy Sabbath, friends! Last Sabbath, we reflected on our Messiah’s humility in the way He entered this world — choosing to come as a baby born on this earth. This Sabbath, we turn our focus to those who were drawn to Him at His birth, including the shepherds and the Magi (often referred to as the wise men), and what their presence reveals about God’s heart.

As we discussed last Sabbath, the shepherds in the nearby fields were among the first to visit baby Jesus. This beautifully displays His humility — He could have made His birth known to royalty, yet instead revealed it to a group of people who held little status in society. But the invitation did not stop there. God also called the Magi from afar to seek, worship, and honor the newborn King.

Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 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.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

The birth of Jesus was a beautiful and intentional moment, and He did not keep it secluded. Instead, those who recognized God’s promises — including prophecy we’ve touched on earlier this month — were drawn from different places to find and worship the newly born Messiah. This reminds us that Jesus desires for us to be surrounded by Christ-centered community and united in worship of Him.

At the same time, Jesus also values our quiet, personal time with Him. In other words, it’s not “either/or” — it’s both. Private devotion strengthens our relationship with God, and gathering with other believers strengthens our faith, our encouragement, and our unity in Christ.

Personal Time With God

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Psalms 46:10 (NIV)

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.””

Worship & Community With God

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.””

Jesus desires for us to gather in community with a main purpose of keeping Him at the center. We see this reflected even in His birth — it could have been a secluded moment known only to Mary and Joseph, yet God drew many to come, rejoice, and worship the Savior.

Psalms 133:1 (NIV)

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

I pray over anyone reading this message who may be walking through a season of division — whether at church, among friends, or within family — that your eyes would be lifted to Jesus, the One Who desires and encourages unity and peace. Even when relationships feel strained, God is still able to bring blessing, growth, and spiritual clarity — just as He did through the events surrounding Christ’s humble birth.

Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Amen.