M ore than once, I’ve heard the impassioned outcry among Christians: “Don’t let them take Christ out of Christmas!” The protest is often incited by an advertisement featuring “Xmas”—an ugly “X” stamping out the name of Christ. Never mind that the first use of “Xmas” dates to the 17th Century and was used predominately in the church. The Greek letter Chi (“X”) has historically been used as a symbol for Christ. And the Chi Rho is one of the earliest Christograms, dating to 300 A.D. So, “Xmas” was never intended to mark out the reason for the season.
Nonetheless, Jesus hasn’t been warmly welcomed by everyone. The announcement of His birth was met with a mixed reception among those who heard it. Matthew 2:1-12 records the responses from three types of people.
King Herod represents the Antagonists. Serving under Caesar Augustus as the ruler over Judea, Herod was about 70 years old when Jesus was born. His business card title was “King of the Jews,” so when foreigners arrived in Jerusalem asking about “the one born king of the Jews,” Herod became “disturbed” (v. 3). Matthew adds that all the citizens of Jerusalem followed suit in his concern because, if Herod is unsettled, everyone pays a price.
His little kingdom threatened, Herod launched a defensive attack by seeking out his newborn rival and eventually killing children throughout Bethlehem to neutralize his competition.
Herod wouldn’t be the last hater to come against Jesus. Frequently, the religious elite challenged Jesus and tried to sideline His mission. Fueled by pride, jealousy and mistrust, they rejected Jesus’ message and ministry and conspired to lead others away from Him. More than once, Jesus warned His disciples that He would “suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31).
Such antagonism continues today. Many in the world are opposed to Jesus, their little kingdoms threatened by His claim to be the only sovereign King. That Jesus claims to be the exclusive “way, the truth and the life” scandalizes human freedom, opinion and individualism. How dare He call anyone to repent and follow Him alone! Even mentioning the name of Jesus can raise the temperature of public discourse.
It is not too much to say that there have always been—and still are—those who hate Jesus (John 15:18).
WHO CARES?
A second group of people are the Ambivalents, represented by the religious experts whom Herod summoned to learn more about the Jewish Messiah. When asked about where such a king was to be born, they answered, “In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet has written” (v. 5). They quoted the chapter and verse prophecy from Micah 5:2 but ultimately did nothing. The arrival of the long-awaited Savior of Israel should have stirred their hearts with excitement and expectation. But they shrugged their shoulders with indifference.
Unfortunately, religious ambivalence is common among people today. Theological liberalism has stripped Jesus of all divinity and wonder, leaving a bare-bones skeleton of a “nice teacher.” Religious pluralism has reduced Jesus to one of many options that people can choose on the buffet of personal preference. And Christian nominalism has made following Jesus nothing more than a gym membership with few committed members. While the Antagonists push to “X” Jesus out of Christmas and everything else, the Ambivalents wouldn’t notice if it happened or not. They just don’t care.
COME LET US ADORE HIM!
The remaining group—the Adorers—are represented by the Magi who made their way to welcome and worship the King. They left their home in the east and travelled to Jerusalem and beyond to find Jesus. When they found the baby—probably about two years old by this time—they “bowed down and worshipped Him” (v. 11). Two actions reflected their adoration of King Jesus.
First, they “bowed down.” Bowing is a universal posture of humility. In lowering oneself, a person makes another higher, greater. We adore Jesus sometimes by literally bowing, kneeling or laying prostrate on our face in worship. But bowing is ultimately a heart disposition. It is declaring that Jesus is the rightful King over me and gladly surrendering everything I have to Him and His purposes. We bow when we say to Jesus, “Take my life, my money, my possessions, my children, my time, my future. It’s all Yours and I willingly give you control over everything. You are my King and I am your humble servant.” That’s adoration.
Second, they “worshipped.” Since he has already mentioned “bowing,” Matthew must mean more than simply paying homage to Jesus. Their worship was reflected in their sacrifice. They opened their treasure boxes and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Today, we worship Jesus through sacrifice. Surrender means that we give freely; sacrifice means that we give generously. Like David who chose to worship at great personal cost, sacrifice means that we “will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
What kind of welcome does Jesus get from you? Antagonism, ambivalence or adoration? Take a moment, bow, and worship. Consider what surrender and sacrifice you will offer to your King.
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels:
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.