Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Reflection: The words of The Twelve Days of Christmas carol states that, “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.” While I doubt any of us will be getting a partridge or a pear tree this Christmas, our “true love” i.e., our Heavenly Father has given us His greatest gift; His Only Begotten Son. The Gospel of John says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The gift of God, His Only Son, should cause us to rejoice with exceeding great joy! Why?
Christmas commemorates the most momentous event in human history—God giving His ONE and ONLY Begotten Son into the world He made, in the form of a baby. This Christmas I urge you to put God FIRST. All our words and works must be characterized by the first words of the Bible: "In the beginning GOD." Nothing is right that does not begin with Him. "God first" is the voice of Scripture. Jesus said that it is imperative that we seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (Matthew 6:33).
"God first" must be our declaration. At the first Christmas the angels sang: "Glory to God in the highest." This was the beginning of their song. And it was after this that they sang of "good-will" towards man. We cannot give "glory to God" without doing good to men. And there is no real good-will toward men which does not spring from a desire to glorify God. Sadly, most people are ignoring this first principle. When God is shut out, man is exalted. Hence "the gospel of God" (Romans 1:16) is being rapidly and almost universally superseded by “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). Such a gospel does not begin with the glory of God, and it will not and cannot end in any real good to man. It begins with man; its object is to improve the old nature apart from God and to reform the flesh; and the measure of its success is the measure in which man can become "good" without "God."
Isaiah 44:6 says, "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” He is the only One. He is first in priority of time. He is first in superiority of rank, and He is first in absolute supremacy. Redemption and salvation began with Him. His was the word which first revealed it (Genesis 3:15). His was the will which first purposed it (Hebrews 10:7). His was the power that alone accomplished it. Therefore "Salvation is of the LORD.”
Putting God; first. Seeking the Kingdom of God; first. Such enables us to see His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Such causes Christmas to be about the One and Only. He is first Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace to, in and through our lives (Isaiah 9:6).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray You make this Christmas special. I ask that the Holy Spirit will help me put God first and foremost. Help me set aside the next twelve days to worship the King of Glory and celebrate His birth. Like the Magi, I choose to focus on Him and rejoice with exceeding great joy. I want to see and experience the fullness of His grace and truth, as never before. I pray this in His Name, the Name of Jesus. Amen.