Richvale Community Church
Julotta 2026
- O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
- We Three Kings (Kings Of Orient)
- Angels From The Realms Of Glory (Regent Square)
- Go Tell It On The Mountain
- Good morning, and Merry Christmas!Some of us might remember OR have heard of Halley’s Comet—I was fifteen when it appeared in 1986. A rare event—it only comes around about once every 76 years.For years it had been anticipated..What is remarkable is that sightings of Halley’s Comet had been recorded for over 2,000 years, dating back to at least 240 BC.So needless to say, when Halley’s Comet arrived, there was a lot of buzz and hype.In our we family we drove out of town, binoculars in hand, ready to witness this cosmic wonder.But unfortunately, our efforts DIDN’T deliver, visibility was poor—it was almost impossible to see.I remember thinking as a teenager, “All this effort for… a tiny smudge in the sky?”Two thousand years ago, there was another cosmic event in the heavens—the star that led the Magi to Bethlehem.Some scholars suggest it may have been a comet or a supernova; others believe it was God’s own supernatural star...Whatever the case, it was remarkable enough to capture the attention of the Magi—astronomers from the East.The Bible tells us that this star set them on a quest to find the King.This morning, we’re going to take a few minutes to reflect on the Magi’s journey and consider what teaches us about worship.First, the story of the Magi teaches us that…1. God Meets us Where We Are at..Life often moves us from one challenge to the next.Those challenges can either lift us up or weigh us down—they can make us bitter or make us better.What we learn from the Magi is this: faith is a journey.It is a journey from grace to grace—often from one small measure of grace to the next—step by step, as God leads us forward.....Matthew tells us about the Magi’s journey ..
Matthew 2:1–2 ESV 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”We see God’s grace in the magi’s journey..The Magi are interesting bunch..they..Were scholars, scientists, astrologers —They devoted their lives to studying the heavens…— John Stott.. tells us they lived with a restless inquisitively about the Universe —they were also magicians..they made experiments with the elements..fire, air, earth and water…. they were fascinated with Fire…they spent hours on roof tops looking at the stars..So…When the star appeared in Eastern sky they were intrigued..it sparked within their curiosity and set them quest to find the King..…Scholars tell us the Magi turned to ancient texts like Old Testament prophecies —In Numbers 24:17 —Numbers 24:17 ESV 17 … a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel..What is amazing is the intensity of their quest..Not only did they do all their research…. they acted on their belief and went to Jerusalem…And the y stepped out and God met them where the where at!HERE WHAT IS INCREDIBLE thing..… ..It was God who chose to reveal Himself to them ..Even though they were those outside the covenant community… They were Gentiles ..who practiced Magic.. .G0d already knew all this— but choose to meet them where the y were at.. and — guide them to His Son…this is grace.. Matthew — was not only a biographer…historian..he was also an evangelist —He must have marveled at the Grace of God..ask he recorded there journey..you see..there real Hope..in Advent..NT Wright says that Grace.. is “God acting first..”he says…Grace is“God’s initiative to restore humanity to life with Him, offered through Jesus Christ, not because of our works but because of His love and faithfulness.” NT. Wright..Second.. lesson..form the Magi..2. Don’t Lose Sight of What Is Important..A pilot once observed that even a small mistake can have serious consequences.For example ..every single degree you fly off course, you’ll miss your landing spot by about 92 feet.That means after sixty miles, you’re nearly a mile off target.And if you started at the equator and flew around the earth just one degree off, you’d land almost 500 miles from where you intended.Small deviations add up.One of the great challenges of life—and faith—is keeping the main thing the main thing.…The Magi’s journey was long—hundreds of miles across deserts, mountains, and rugged terrain. but..And Somewhere along the way, they lost sight of the star,and they started to figure things out on their own.They were Left to their own assumptions, they thought, “If a king has been born, surely he will be found in a palace.”So they traveled to Jerusalem, to Herod’s palace— ..this was not the best descion..At that time, Herod the Great was king.According to Josephus, the Jewish historian,Herod was a brilliant administrator and master builder who expanded the temple… (on paper looked good —but in reality)He had alliances with Rome and was deeply embedded in a corrupt system of power.Everything he did was ultimately for himself.Herod was also ruthless and paranoid. He murdered his own wife and several of his sons.When Herod heard the Magi’s request, he was troubled.He consulted the chief priests and scribes, who confirmed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.he.. Then, secretly, instructed the Magi to find the child and report back—so that he too could “worship” Him.Matthew 2:8 ESV 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”Herod’s words were smooth, but his heart was murderous.The lesson here is simply don’t loss sight of GodWhen we lose sight of God’s guidance , it’s easy to stop seeking Him. Pro 4.5Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. .Life application:.The good news is that God’s grace is available to us wherever moment we are in… When we choose to receive that grace, we find ourselves in God’s embrace—knowing we are forgiven, accepted, and loved..We learn that..3. Christ Alone can truly Satisfy…There are so many things we turn to, thinking they will satisfy our lives—success, possessions, recognition, comfort.Life is full of counterfeit promises that seem appealing but don’t deliver.Only Christ can satisfy the deepest longings of our soul..Matthew 2:9–11 ESV 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.After leaving Herod, the star appeared again…They get back on track..But this time, the star did not stop at a palace—it stopped over a house, in a humble home in Bethlehem…When the Magi encounter Christ… they bowed down and worshipped him..These men hd spend most of their lives… looking wisdom from the Elements… from stars.. yet Here they find wisdom in Christ..Every longing was found and fulfilled in Him.Paul tells us.. in Christ..Colossians 2:2–3 “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In Him dwells all the fullness of God..The Magi present Jesus with gifts of Gold, Frankincess and myrrh..Worship is Response.. to who God is… True worship transforms our hearts —Life application: Christmas invites us into the presence of Christ.. and to lay down our treasures and abilities…Last thing we learns is ..Conclusion..After worship, the Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod.Matthew 2:12 ESV 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.The same God who guided them with a star now guided them by a dream.They did not walk the same road they came on.The Magi came seeking a king. They left having met the Savior.Encountering Jesus changes everythinhg. It transforms our lives, redirects our paths, and calls us to go home another way.Closing PrayerLord Jesus, thank You for meeting us where we are, guiding us, and transforming our lives. Help us to follow Your light, give You our best, and walk another way. Amen.Closing thought..Joulotta is all about — coming in the night and leaving in the light… it is about being changed by Christ..Will we leave this story the same way we came… or go home another way? Matthew 2:1–2CSB
Numbers 24:17CSB
Matthew 2:8CSB
Matthew 2:9–11CSB
Matthew 2:12CSB
Richvale Community Church
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