"The Moods of Christmas" with P. Art

Matthew 2:1-12

A. Are you Ignorant but Inquisitive like the Wise Men? Vv. 1-2, 9-12

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 in the east and have come to worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east 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 and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

B. Are you Intrested but Insecure like Herod? Vv. 3-4, 7-8, 16

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 Christ was to be born.

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 make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

C. Are you Informed but Indifferent like the Scribes and Priests? Vv. 4-6

When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ 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 be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

APPLICATION
1. Does your mood reflcet your need? May we help you with the answer?

2. Would you be open to listen and respond to a specific need this season?

3. Are ther still areas of you life which the Saviour could revolutionize if He were only allowed to come in?