Scripture Reading:

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1–2 (NLT)

Devotional Thought:

December has a way of distracting us. We decorate homes, plan meals, rush schedules, and push through the end of the year. In the busyness, it’s possible to celebrate the season yet miss the Saviour.

Scripture doesn’t invite us to glance at Jesus — it calls us to behold Him. To stop. To fix our eyes. To refuse to rush past what heaven is revealing.

The wise men didn’t accidentally find Jesus. They searched for Him. They followed a star they couldn’t control, fully understand, or explain. They left comfort and familiarity to pursue what God was unveiling. And notice what they were looking for — not a baby, but a King.

What they found challenged their expectations. No palace. No throne. No royal fanfare. Just vulnerability wrapped in humility. God’s greatest revelations often arrive in unexpected forms. If we’re only looking for God to show up the way we imagined, we may walk right past the miracle we’ve been praying for.

Jesus doesn’t arrive to impress us — He arrives to reign. His presence exposes what’s been sitting on the throne of our hearts. Like King Herod, we can feel disturbed when real authority shows up. But unlike Herod, the wise men chose surrender over self-protection. They bowed. They worshipped. They gave generously.

When we truly behold the King, worship stops being optional and becomes our way of life. And while worship costs something — time, pride, comfort, convenience — it always leads to transformation. You don’t behold a King and stay the same.

This season, don’t just celebrate His birth. Submit to His reign. Behold the King.

Reflection Questions:

1. What distractions tend to pull my attention away from Jesus during this season?
2. Have I ever missed God’s work because it didn’t look the way I expected?
3. What “false throne” might Jesus be inviting me to surrender to Him?
4. What does wholehearted worship look like in my everyday life?

Prayer:

Jesus, You are King. Forgive me for the moments I rush past Your presence or limit You to my expectations. Open my eyes to see You clearly and my heart to surrender fully. Expose anything that has taken Your rightful place in my life, and help me lay it down in worship. This season and always, I choose to behold You. Amen.

Action Step:

Set aside intentional, distraction-free time this week to worship Jesus — not asking for anything, simply acknowledging Him as King. Let your focus be on who He is, not what He gives.

Family Declaration:

As for me and my household, we choose to behold the King. We fix our eyes on Jesus, surrender our hearts to His rule, and live in worship every day. Jesus reigns in our home. Amen.