The Journey of the Magi (1894) by James Jacques Joseph Tissot

The Story of Christmas
Day 12 Reading:
Matthew 2:1-12

Canticle: A Sacrifice
Acceptable to God

ALL SINGING:
What Child is This?
United Methodist Hymnal #219, verse 1
What Child is this
who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

READER ONE: Verse from Shepherds’ Hymn by Richard Crashaw
To Thee, meek Majesty, soft King
Of simple graces and sweet loves!
Each of us his lamb will bring,
Each his pair of silver doves!
At last, in fire of Thy fair eyes,
Ourselves become our own best sacrifice!

READER TWO: Psalm 51:14-17 (NRSV)
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

ALL SINGING: What Child is This? United Methodist Hymnal #219, verse 3
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

READER ONE: Romans 12:1 (NRSV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

READER TWO: Verse from In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him—Give my heart.

ALL SINGING:
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

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Be sure to check out a reflection on this passage by Steve Garnaas-Holmes entitled What Led the Magi and a prayer he wrote entitled Prayer of the Magi.

For information on The Story of Christmas Reading Plan, click here

A Sacrifice Acceptable to God: compilation © 2010 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
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