“Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent men and killed all the boys who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi” (Matthew 2:16).

How sad that this world reacts with such violence and hatred?  We humans do not know the details, so with broad strokes, we lash out and destroy what we hate.  How many unneeded abortions have killed children?  How many lives are simply thrown away.  Every life is precious to the Lord. He commands us: thou shall not kill.  The wicked see no wrong in destruction.  The Lord teaches us to cherish life and to live according to His word.

Word made flesh and dwelling among us, there was great cost in preparing the way of salvation.  How many have been martyred for Your sake?  But that is the way of wickedness.  Lead me according to Your goodness to humbly walk in Your way no matter the cost.  You have given all who believe the words of eternal life.  Let Your faithful be empowered to walk humbly in You, even amidst the death and destruction that surrounds us.

Lord, I do not know what I would do if faced with the wrath of the wicked one as those whose children were killed.  But there is death all around me here.  Guide me, Lord, to humbly live by Your word and seek to do what is right each day that You give me.  I do not know the day or hour, but I see the signs and know that You will return one day to judge the living and the dead.  Count me among the faithful, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son” (Matthew 2:15).

In fulfilling prophecy, the Lord does many things at once.  There are things He has done that we do not yet know.  Herod needed to be prevented from killing the Messiah.  He thought he could stop the Lord.  No one can thwart the plans of the Lord.  Scripture would be fulfilled;  and out of Egypt, the Lord would come.  Born in Bethlehem, out of Egypt, and called a Nazarene.  Who but the Lord can work through so many twists and turns?

Life is not simple nor was the life of the Lord.  The Lord called His Son out of Egypt.  The Lord calls us out of the bondage of sin, death, and meaningless existence to wander the wilderness of this life, preparing to come into the promised rest of eternity.  The pattern has been set before us and we have been called by grace to live in faith and follow the Lord all the days of our life.

Father in Heaven, guide me in the goodness of the grace hard-won by Jesus so that I may  come into Your presence.  Open me up to live faithfully in the presence of Your Holy Spirit so that like Joseph and Mary, I can walk steadfastly with You .  Lead me in all goodness according to Your will so that I may, day by day, be conformed to the image of Your Son and become Your child.  Amen. 

“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt” (Matthew 2:14).

It is almost as if the Lord is retracing the steps backwards through time, away from the Jewish kings, through the wilderness where the law was given, and into the slavery of Egypt.  Jesus has come to fulfill prophecy and make all things new.  This is done amidst the fight against principalities and forces that hate God and desire to see complete destruction and rejection of all that the Lord has established.

To what lengths will the Lord go to resurrect you into the new life?  The price He paid for your redemption is in the story of the Gospel.  He did these things so that you would have the opportunity to live life now and forever as it is meant to be lived.  Empowered by Him, there are others who were faithful and helped to make things happen as they needed to happen.

Lord, I am here, listening to Your word, because of others who have faithfully carried the Gospel message to me.  Some of them have done so through great peril to themselves.  Help me to join with the communion of saints knowing that You have come to redeem all of those who will journey with you through all the sinfulness of this world in order to be made new.  Make me new in You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him” (Matthew 2:13).

After the Lord provided for Jesus with gold, Joseph is instructed to leave Bethlehem.  The world still wants to kill Jesus.  The One who is eternal cannot be eliminated.  They killed Him and He rose again.  You who follow the Lord, know that they will try to kill you.  Let nothing distract you from following the Lord, even if He asks you to pack up things and move.  The final portion of the Great Commission is for us to learn how to obey.

Lord, thank You for the witness of Joseph.  He heard You and obeyed.  What will it take for me to have enough faith to obey You as Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and Joseph did?  Create in me a willing heart that hears and obeys.  You have provided for me before I take the first step, so teach me how to step out in faith.  May I be encourage by examples such as these to always trust You.

Lord Jesus, as You were protected as a child, so also, Your protection is over us.  But I also know that this life too may be taken at any time.  Grant that I would have faith to step out, not based upon circumstances, nor even outcomes, but based upon obeying all that You command.  You are the author and finisher of my faith and You know what is coming.  Lead me to live by faith.  Amen.

“And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way” (Matthew 2:12).

The Magi were attuned to the speaking of the Holy Spirit.  As the Lord led them to Jesus, so also, the Lord led them away.  The met Herod and they knew the stories of his paranoia, but they also knew the leading of the Lord.  Somehow, in our age, we seem to want magic rather than wisdom.  Wisdom begins with fear of the Lord.  Magic is an imagination of the mind, for all power belongs to the Lord.

Lord, as the Wise men came to see baby Jesus and worship Him, so also, You call me to worship You.  You have spoken to me in many a various ways.  Help me to hear when You speak so that, with wisdom, I may obey when You direct me.  Lead me in the way that You intend, but also, help me to listen and follow.  Thank You for the witness of the Magi and their humble experience.

Lord, You have come so that we may go by another way, leaving this country and heading toward the new country which shall come after our resurrection.  Help me to not look back, but to move forward according to Your leading.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that only in You can I take even one step, let alone all the steps that are needed.  Be the light that shines before each of my steps as I follow You all the days of my life.  Amen.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And after they came
into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:10).

Christmas night is often portrayed with the Magi beside the newborn Jesus. Jesus was born in a
stable and the Magi came to the house. In a way, time was slower then and not so hurried as in
our age where we want things wrapped up quickly. The gifts of providence to provide for the
Lord were provided. God’s timing and provision are always perfect. Worship the One who has
all things in His hands, including time.

Lord, I believe the convenient report of the packaged presentation of my culture over what Your
word says. Help me to pay attention, for every word You have spoken is there for a purpose.
Lead me to understand Scripture through the words of Scripture and right preaching, and not
through the interpretation of those who want to sell during the Christmas season. Guide me into
truth.

Lord Jesus, my salvation is dependent upon You and not upon my getting things right. Lead
me into the light of truth through Your word so that I may not be easily led astray by those
who follow their own hearts instead of You. Grant me a discerning mind who trusts that all
things are in Your hands and that You will make sure the timing in my life is according to
Your will. Thank You for the many ways in which You provide for us all. Amen.

“After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen
in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child
was to be found” (Matthew 2:9).

The Lord will lead those who are His. The Lord is our protector. Oh, why do we not believe and
humbly follow Him? As He led the Magi to baby Jesus, so He will lead us all the days of our
life. Keep your eye on the light of Jesus. Keep your eye on the prize. Jesus will lead you. Trust
in the One who knows all things and has come in order that you may have life in Him. Let Him
lead you all the days of your life.

Shining star of truth, reveal all things I need to know so that I may see and believe. Like
Abraham and the Magi, You have sent me on a journey of faith. Guide me Lord Jesus so that I
may humbly walk in the faith You have given me. Guide me in Your goodness and grace to not
lose focus, or stumble in darkness, but walk knowing that You are with me always.

My Savior and God, You have come to lead me this day in the way I need to go. Guide me in
Your goodness so that I may be faithful and follow where You lead. Help me to know that I do
not need to fear anything that comes my way in this life. Help me to trust in You always.
Guide me in Your goodness so that I may take additional steps of faith, trusting in Your
leading always. Amen.

“And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and
when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him”
(Matthew 2:8).

Liar! We know that, but they did not. How many times have you encountered someone who
could look you in the face and lie? Sadly, there are too many in this world who do just that.
They will pretend to be a friend of Jesus, but they are really an enemy. Be on the alert and be
wise as serpents, only follow the way of our Lord and worship Him alone. We fight against the
dark principalities and powers of this world.

Lord, grant that I would be discerning in an age with so much falsehood. I have been deceived.
Guide me to see through those who would deceive me so that I may walk in the truth. The Magi
humbly came to worship you and, out of respect for the authorities, came to Herod who did not
honor You. Help me to see the tension I live in so that I may walk faithfully, yet with shrewdness.

Holy Spirit, it is a battle against things I cannot see, yet You can make them known, Lord
Jesus. You must be the author and finisher of my faith, for I often do not know whom I am
facing. Father in heaven, You have called me to become Your child after the likeness of
Christ my Savior. Holy Triune God, lead me as I must be led so that I would worship

“Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star
appeared” (Matthew 7).

In paranoia, Herod wants to be rid of the threat. We live in a world filled with paranoid and
hostile people. The Lord has come to save us in spite of ourselves. We try to figure things out
and make them go the way we want. The Lord already knows how things will turn out and will
direct it such that all things will work together for good for those who come into the light of His
presence.

Lord, sometimes I too plot, but I do not consider it bad or wicked. The truth is, anything that is
not according to Your will is sin. Help me to focus upon living the life for which my Savior died
that I might be lifted up into a life like His. Who knows the exact time of anything except You,
Lord? Guide me to trust You who knows these things so that I may humbly walk in the faith You
have given me.

My Savior Jesus, born in the village of Bethlehem, bring me to You so that I may join the
Magi and worship You. You have gifted me with the gifts I have and called me through my
baptism to live into the life for which You have prepared me to live the right way by grace.
Always be the One who is the shining star for me to see and follow. Close my ears to the ones
who would lead me astray. Teach me humble faithfulness. Amen.

“They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the
prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of
Judah; For from you will come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel’”
(Matthew 2:5-6).

Read the rest of the prophecy. Born in Bethlehem to be a shepherd. A leader, but not a
commander. Oh, how this world messes these things up. He who is worthy of all honor and
praise is our friend. He comes to care for us and lead us. Gentle, yes, but also the One through
whom all things have their being. He is the Good Shepherd who leads those who know that He
prevails against sin, death, and the devil.

Lord, Your word is so rich and deep as it tells what will happen, just as it told those then what
would happen. In all of these things, we know that You have come to give us new life in You.
You have come to be the Good Shepherd of the souls who trust in You. According to Your grace
and mercy, open the eyes and ears of the faithful to see and hear these things and lead us into the
fold of Your bride, the church.

Good Shepherd of my soul, guide me along right paths this day that I would see Your hand
leading me. Keep me from wandering to the edges of the places which are safe so that I may
be nourished by You, the Bread of Life. You have given Your life so that we who are in need,
may be fed with the heavenly food. Thank You for granting grace and mercy so that I may
dwell forever in Your house. Amen.