Questions to Ask at Christmas
Matthew 2:1-11
Matthew 2:1–2 (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?
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Daniel 2:27 (ESV)
Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked
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Requirements for Persian kings:
- Master the scientific & religious disciplines of the Magi.
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- Be approved by the Magistani (“Senate of the Magi”)
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Matthew 2:2 (ESV)
saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw”
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1. Am I looking for God to Show Up in my Life?
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Micah 7:7 (ESV)
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
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2. Am I following where God is leading?
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Matthew 2:2 (ESV)
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.”
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Luke 2:8–9 (ESV)
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
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Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
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Matthew 2:2 (ESV)
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.”
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3. Am I giving God the Worship He Deserves?
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Matthew 2:9b–11a (ESV)
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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.
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Matthew 2:11 (ESV)
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.
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- Gold: Jesus is the King
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- Frankincense: Jesus is God
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Exodus 30:34a; 35–36 (ESV)
The LORD said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense … make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you.
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- Myrrh: Jesus was the Sacrifice for Sin
