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As we drove home from Rugby last Saturday night, we passed through Jamestown, near where World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York grew up. This small Tennessee town serves as the county seat of Fentress County. To our delight, we saw this nativity scene on the lawn of the courthouse.

Today’s easy devotional idea is about the magi’s visit to see Jesus. Though the magi actually visited Jesus in a house and not beside His manger bed, I am always excited when I see public displays of faith in Jesus like the one in Jamestown.

Read: Matthew 2:1-12.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 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 out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 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.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Discuss: What did the wise men do when they saw the star? What did they do when they saw Jesus?

Pray: Bow and speak words of worship to God and His Son Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:2, 11).

Add to the basket: a small wrapped gift, to represent the treasures that the wise men opened and offered to Jesus.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
After coming into the house
they saw the Child with Mary His mother;
and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.
Matthew 2:10-11

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Optional Carol: If you would enjoy singing a carol to go along with today’s devotion, you might enjoy “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels.

Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

God from true God, and
Light from Light eternal,
Born of a virgin, to earth he comes!
Only-begotten Son of God the Father: [Refrain]

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest: [Refrain]

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: [Refrain]

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