Advent Invitation: Seek Christ Intentionally and Be Changed

Devotional

Day 1: Seek Christ with intentional, longing pilgrimage and worship.

You are invited to pursue Jesus with the same hunger the Magi displayed — a journey that cost time, resources, and persistence. Advent is not a season to wait passively; it’s an invitation to look up, follow the sign God gives, and worship when you find him. Make space, lean in, and let the pursuit itself be an act of worship. [57:41]

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, 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." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. 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." 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. When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod they departed to their own country by another way.

Reflection: What is one concrete, time-bound step you will take this week to move from passive waiting to active seeking of Jesus (a daily practice, a conversation, a place you will go)? Specify when you will do it.

Day 2: God prepares leaders to reveal truth across cultures.

Remember that God raised up Daniel and placed him over the wise men so revelation would be preserved and passed on across cultural lines. God’s work often runs through prepared people and faithful transmission; what was given as prophecy and hope was carried by those who were positioned to steward it. Consider how study, humility, and faithfulness prepare you to be a conduit of truth in your sphere. [01:00:29]

Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

Reflection: Where might God be calling you to steward insight, care, or leadership in your context? Name one specific small step (a person to invest in, a study plan, a mentoring conversation) you will do in the next two weeks to prepare for that role.

Day 3: God's prophetic timetable invites patient, expectant waiting.

There is a patient, precise unfolding to God’s purposes; Daniel’s prophecy points to a timeline and a people watching expectantly. Advent calls for expectant waiting — a discipline of preparation rather than anxious rushing — so that when God moves, it’s recognized. Live with steady attention: prayer, study, and small daily practices that cultivate endurance and hope. [01:01:35]

"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
And after the sixty-two weeks an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Reflection: What practical habit will you adopt to live in patient, expectant waiting this Advent (specific reading, prayer time, or weekly rhythm)? Commit to the habit for the next four weeks and name when you’ll practice it.

Day 4: The star prophecy points to Christ the King.

Even in unexpected places and voices, God has been pointing toward Jesus; the "star" language in Scripture helps us see the continuity of God’s plan. Advent asks you to learn to spot the different star amid a sky full of distractions — to recognize what is truly significant. Practice watchfulness in small moments so you can notice the signposts God places before you. [01:03:21]

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth."

Reflection: Where have you noticed small "signs" of God’s work recently? Choose one place this week (a conversation, a nature walk, a quiet moment) to intentionally look for God’s "star" and write down what you observe.

Day 5: Gentiles worship Christ with costly gifts and praise.

The nations came bearing precious gifts — worship that cost them something and declared who Christ is: king, worthy of praise, and one who would suffer. Worship in this season looks like costly giving of time, attention, and resources, and it also looks like returning home by a different path — transformed. Decide what sacrificial worship you will offer (time, hospitality, a changed habit) so you come back a different way. [01:03:46]

A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.

Reflection: What is one tangible, sacrificial offering you can make this season (time with someone, a financial gift, a change of plans) that would express worship and prepare your heart for transformation? State exactly what you will offer and when you will do it.

Sermon Summary

We celebrated our Rehoboth students today and thanked God for the way He met us as we launched a “life school” — not just for Bible knowledge or ministry skills, but for living as ordinary Christians in a complicated world. From there, I turned our attention to Advent and how easy it is to get crowded out by good, urgent things while neglecting the most important. Spiritual growth never happens by accident. The flesh is effortless; the things of the Spirit require intention. Advent is a sacred invitation the Church has handed us — a consecrated space where we slow down, become attentive, and let God form us.

I invited us to be intentional: to make quiet, not just noise; to say no to some good things so we can say a deeper yes to the best things; to open Scripture together by the fire instead of just adding more plastic to the pile. We stepped into the story of the Magi — not as a random side note, but as a thread God began weaving long before Bethlehem. Daniel, exiled in Babylon, became chief over the magi and seeded them with the promises and timelines of Messiah. Generations later, their eyes were trained to watch the sky — and their hearts were trained to move when God signaled.

Their journey was long, costly, and inconvenient. But longing propelled them. They didn’t just admire a star; they followed it. They didn’t offer sentiments; they offered treasures. And having encountered the Child, they “went home by another way” — a spiritual picture of what true worship does: it re-routes our lives. Church tradition remembers them as evangelists to their people, a reminder that personal encounter overflows into public witness.

This is our moment, too. Advent is not about passive waiting; it’s about watchful seeking, sacrificial worship, and prepared hearts. God isn’t demanding perfection; He’s inviting presence. Prepare room. Set the table of your days. In the quiet or in the breakthrough, He meets us. And when He does, we do not go back to Herod. We return by another way — freer, truer, more aligned with the King who came as an infant and reigns with a scepter of peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Intention shapes spiritual transformation Spiritual growth does not drift into our lives; the flesh runs on autopilot, but the Spirit asks for attention. Advent trains our desires by committing time, focus, and obedience to God. Small, consistent choices — Scripture, prayer, presence with people — compound into real change. Make room on purpose. [49:43]
2. Consecrate time; be formed by God Sacred seasons are gifts that reorient us when life’s urgencies scatter our focus. When we mark days as holy, we invite a different grace to meet us there. Set apart space becomes a classroom for the heart, where God’s peace and presence reshape what we love. Choose formation over frenzy. [52:26]
3. Seek Christ with longing, not convenience The Magi didn’t settle for a glimpse; they made a costly journey to behold the King. Longing turns inspiration into movement — calendars, budgets, and habits bend to a greater love. Let hunger for Jesus interrupt convenience, and you’ll find Him in places comfort would have missed. [64:30]
4. Worship with costly, embodied devotion They fell down and opened their treasures; love became action. True worship engages the body, the calendar, and the wallet because our whole selves belong to Him. Ask what gift of obedience, generosity, or compassion God is asking for this season — then bring it with joy. [67:01]
5. Encounter Jesus and leave another way Meeting Christ reroutes us; we cannot return to Herod, the old patterns that kept us stuck. Divine encounter moves us from research to revelation, from theory to transformation. Let His presence re-map your habits, relationships, and hopes — and become good news to your world. [73:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:48] - Opening banter and kids joke
[38:58] - Why we started a life school
[40:40] - Honoring the students’ perseverance
[47:20] - Holidays, busyness, and intention
[49:43] - Spiritual change requires intention
[52:03] - Advent as sacred invitation
[53:49] - Awe at God’s vulnerability
[56:00] - The Magi in Matthew 2
[58:41] - Daniel, exile, and the Magi
[61:35] - Daniel’s timeline to Messiah
[64:30] - Seeking Christ with longing
[67:01] - Worship that costs something
[70:41] - Returning home by another way
[79:43] - Prayer, ministry, and benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
Matthew 2:1–12
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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 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.” 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. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Observation questions

What do the magi ask in verse 2, and how do the Jewish leaders (chief priests and scribes) respond in verses 4–6? What does that exchange reveal about expectation and knowledge of the Messiah in Israel?
List the concrete actions the magi take in verses 9–11. What do those actions (following the star, rejoicing, entering the house, falling down, offering gifts) tell you about the shape of true worship?
Advent is a church-given season meant to create sacred time and attention. What concrete examples of creating sacred time were named? [52:03]
Daniel was made chief over the wise men and passed on prophecies and timelines that shaped the magi’s longing. What details in the passage and in related history make the magi’s search look more like careful preparation than a random journey? [01:00:29]

Interpretation questions (third-person, objective)

How does the magi’s costly, long journey clarify the difference between passive waiting and active seeking for Christ? In what ways does the star function as both an intellectual sign and a call that moves the heart to action? [01:04:30]
“They departed to their own country by another way” can be read physically and spiritually. What does leaving “by another way” signify about the effect of encountering Christ on a person’s life and priorities? [01:10:41]
Daniel’s role as ruler over the magi connected Jewish prophecy to Gentile expectation. What does that cross-cultural, intergenerational formation suggest about how God prepares people outside Israel to recognize and worship the Messiah? [01:01:35]

Application questions (personal, specific)

Advent is an invitation to consecrate time; it’s a practical way to let God form desires and habits. What one daily or weekly practice will you intentionally set aside time for this Advent (Scripture reading, silence, family reading of the nativity, a short daily prayer)? How will you make that time realistic in your calendar? [52:26]
Good, urgent things easily crowd out the best things. What one “good” activity this season will you say no to so you can say yes to a deeper practice of seeking Christ (for example, one party, extra shopping, an additional event)? How will you communicate that choice to others? [49:21]
Worship often requires sacrifice—not just words but gifts of time, attention, and resources. What sacrificial offering of worship is God prompting you to bring this season (financial giving, extended listening to a neighbor, a visit to someone who is lonely)? What is a practical first step this week? [01:07:01]
Encounter with Christ should reroute life; it calls people to “go another way.” What is one habit, relationship pattern, or fear you need to leave behind now? What is one concrete action you will take this month to begin that new route (a phone call, accountability, counseling, setting boundaries)? [01:10:41]
Preparing the heart matters—small preparations can open space for God’s presence. What are two tangible things you will prepare this week (a quiet 15 minutes before bed, clearing a spot in the home for family reading, turning off notifications during mealtime) to help you notice God’s presence? [01:15:05]
Personal encounter overflows into witness. Who is one person you can tell this season about how meeting Jesus has changed you or given you peace? What will you say, and when will you say it? [01:12:07]

Sermon Clips

You know, you don't accidentally pull out your Bible and be, like, and maybe you do.I don't know.Maybe you're, like, oh, I just, like, oh, I just found myself reading the Bible.It was really weird.Maybe that's your story.But most of the time, it's, like, I'm not even, I'm, like, I can, like, find Instagram on my phone without looking at it.You know, that's most of the time.I found myself, I accidentally was looking at Instagram.It's, like, no, it's, this is accidental.This is intentional.You know, all the important things we do in life, all the things that are good for us are intentional. [00:50:35] (25 seconds) #IntentionalDisciplines

We're super forgetful.We drift spiritually.Basically, it's just being a human.We absorb.We kind of are formed by the environments we're in.Has anybody ever, like, you start a new job, and then all of a sudden you kind of get absorbed into that culture, and then you kind of almost become a different person than anybody.Anybody, has that happened to you?And then, you know, you kind of realize, like, oh, I'm kind of acting different here, right?It's just a natural thing.So if we're formed by those things, how much more should we step into these sacred spaces and be formed by what God wants to pour out? [00:52:49] (35 seconds) #FormedBySacredSpace

But in order to understand the Magi, we have to look deeper into Scripture.That's what I love about Scripture, is this is not some disjointed book.Look, it all flows together.And the crazy thing, it's all about Christ.It's all about Christ.Like, even the Old Testament, all these prophecies, they all point to Christ.It's absolutely incredible. [00:58:13] (20 seconds) #AllScripturePointsToChrist

They're, like, trying to figure it out, because, like, you know, if you don't get the thing the king wants, the king's just like, well, you're dead, you know?So they're trying to interpret this dream, and then they get to the point, like, hey, king, nobody can interpret this dream.You know what?You're asking too much.And then the king's super upset, and he's like, you guys are all dead.And then they find Daniel, and they're like, hey, Daniel, can you figure this out for us?And Daniel's like, oh, yeah, no problem. [00:59:24] (21 seconds) #DivineInterpretation

So Daniel comes and he says, actually, these are prophecies about that very person that you're waiting for.Daniel goes on, he gives a lot more prophecies about the coming of a Messiah, and the most interesting one is actually in Daniel 9, and he gives, it's amazing, such an accurate timeline of when he will appear.So we have to understand, Daniel, he is the chief magi now, and he's bringing these prophecies that have been written before they were exiled, and now receiving new revelation about this coming Messiah, and he's over all these magi, and they're all taking this in and recording it meticulously. [01:01:27] (48 seconds) #DanielsProphecy

And these were pagans.These were Gentiles.These were the ones that were on the outside.I think it was St. Augustine where, he's like the, actually, I'm going to butcher it.Pretty much like these pagans came from so far to see Christ, but Israel wouldn't, they were near, but wouldn't come.You know, it's pretty wild to think about.So just as they journeyed, we're actually, like, we're stepping into a sacred space.We're invited into this inner, this inner pilgrimage to see Christ with a longing, with a passion like they did.You guys still with me? [01:05:58] (43 seconds) #InnerPilgrimage

Like, you know what?I want to commend some of you for coming to church today.Actually, that's your journey here, and I commend you.That's even your worship.Maybe you didn't want to get out of bed this morning.Maybe you didn't want to come worship this morning.Maybe, like, I'm not feeling it, but you're just like, I'm just going to go.And I commend you for that.I'm glad you're here.Glad you're here.Thank you.I'm glad I'm here. [01:07:20] (21 seconds) #ShowingUpIsWorship

I would say that most of us want to walk away changed.Because I know I am not perfect.I screw up every single day.But the amazing thing is, he doesn't leave me there.He invites me into a process of transformation.But it's not just for, it's not just by, like, snapping his fingers.It happens with face-to-face encounter and intentionality.And my, focusing my attention on him.And preparing my heart for him. [01:14:22] (42 seconds) #IntentionalTransformation

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