It is the time of year when multitudes will flock to schools, theaters, and churches to see programs about Christmas. I remember attending schools Christmas programs when our boys were young, but make no mistake I was going to see my kids. Otherwise, I would be doing something else on that winter evening. I didn’t go because they were great actors or had the lead roles, I went because of their relationship to me. This is the time of year churches appeal to people because of programs. Acquaintances and relatives will attend because they have a connection with someone in the program. They come to see a program. Many will attend church this year at Christmas time because of tradition. They come to be seen, to please a relative, or because it is “the thing” to do at this time of year. If you attend a Christmas function this year, why will you do it? If it is a church function, who will you go to see?
On that first Christmas people from the lowest to the richest came to see the Messiah. The Shepherds came because an angel announced the Messiah to them. They had heard all of their lives that the Messiah would come. They wanted to see this baby and wasted no time. They immediately came to see this babe.
Luke 2:8-12 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Luke2:15-16 “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
The wise men came from the east about two years after His birth. They were following the orders of Herod, but ultimately, they were following God’s direction. They did not find Jesus because Herod ordered them to go, it was God who placed the star in the sky. God was drawing them to Him, the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior of the world. Their desire was to see the Messiah. This was the only purpose to take this journey.
All throughout the gospels, we see people looking for Jesus. Some came for a show. They wanted to see Him perform miracles. In Matthew 12:38-39, the Pharisees wanted to see a sign from Jesus that confirmed He was the Son of God, but Jesus refused. He knew their motive was not pure, but they wanted a show or an opportunity to denounce Him as God in the flesh.
Matthew 12:38-39 “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah:”
Jesus did many wonderful miracles and still does, but we are not to come to Him because we want to see the miracles, we are to come because He loved us enough to leave Heaven, come to earth, and die for our sins to make a way for us to be made right with God. It is the only way we can escape the wrath of God, and live eternally with Him in Heaven.
Multitudes of people will flock to see Christmas programs this year. Many will come the Sunday before Christmas, just like they come at Easter. Today, examine your heart, why will you go to church this Christmas. Will it be to be entertained by a drama, a children’s program, or because it’s time to make your annual pilgrimage to church? Will it be because someone has been praying for you, and uses these programs to get you there because they care about your soul? Today, examine your heart and define your motives. Be honest with yourself and answer the question of “why will I go to church this season.” I pray you can say “I’m going to see Jesus, to worship and adore Him.”
