No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your quiet Christ-focused heart.

Read: Matthew 2:11—12

11 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.12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Reflect: The magi brought a sacrifice to the child, Jesus. Gold represents Christ’s divinity; frankincense aligns with His priestly role; myrrh speaks of His death and embalming. When worshiping the Lord, consider meditating on His deity, His righteousness, and the death sentence He paid for you.

Respond: God, in Hebrews 13:15, it says for us to continually bring the sacrifice of praise through Jesus. Help the fruit of my lips to openly profess Your name. I want you to receive the treasures of my heart.

Tot Time: Explain to the children that one of the reasons we give gifts at Christmas is because that is what the magi did for Jesus. It is better for us to give a gift, than it is for us to get a gift. Ask them, “What gifts can you make or give to others this year?”