Matthew skips the shepherds. And the little drummer boy too, for the record.

Instead, Matthew tells us about the visit from the magi, which most likely didn’t happen the night Jesus was born.

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.” Matthew 2:1-2

As we continue to focus on the bottom line of Advent, allow me to point out a couple of things. These magi came from the east. Back home we would say, “they ain’t from around here.”

They were foreigners. Not of the people of Israel.

No surprises here, especially for you iGosians. This baby born in Bethlehem had come to save the world. Every nation. Every tribe. Every tongue!

Matthew begins the story of Jesus with the foreign magi, and ends it with the Great Commission. This gospel is for all the nations!

Why did the magi come? Why did they travel this far for a baby shower?

To worship Him.

Right here in the Christmas story we find a stark reminder that God’s ultimate aim is to be worshipped by all peoples. For the knowledge of His glory to cover the earth! The bottom line is always there.

God knows we were made to worship. And He knows that until we worship Him and Him alone, life will never make sense. We will never be fully satisfied. We will never find our purpose.

It’s true for you, and it’s true for every people group on the planet.

It’s the reason we can be still in the middle of the craziness of this season.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in all the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Be still and remember that this Christmas.

And let us exalt Him among all the nations.