King Herod was treacherous.  The wise men were eager to visit the new king.  Herod hatched a plan.  The wise men completed their journey and their mission:  ⁷Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” ⁹After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Herod held no desire to worship Jesus.  He wanted to eliminate a competitor.  The wise men demonstrated their wisdom in their fervent desire to worship the new born king.  Herod's desire would be thwarted.  The wise men's mission would be accomplished.  The most important words in today's Scripture are:  "...they bowed down and worshiped him."  The wise men's wisdom was shown in their recognition of Jesus as someone worthy of their worship.  Worship is a powerful word.  We worship that which we value most in life.  Some worship success. Others worship money.  Still others worship themselves.  The wise men worshiped Jesus!  As we move through the last few days before Christmas, who or what do we worship?

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being worthy of our worship and praise!  Thank You for making Yourself known to us through Jesus, and for being present in our lives by Your Holy Spirit.  Fill us anew with Your Spirit that we may worship You and You alone in this blessed season.  This we ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.