As I opened my Bible to Matthew 2, I was reminded that the “Responses of Christmas” haven’t changed in 2,000 years. People still react to Jesus in the same heart-level ways—and we have to ask where we fit.

The first response I see is Herod’s hostility (Matthew 2:2–3, 16–18). When the wise men came looking for the One “born king of the Jews,” Herod felt threatened. He pretended he wanted to worship Jesus, but jealousy turned into rage and violence. Herod’s story confronts me with a hard question: Do I ever resist Jesus because I don’t want to surrender control? Am I willing to let Christ reign, or do I cling to my own “throne”?

Next is the response of the chief priests and scribes—indifference (Matthew 2:4–6). They knew the prophecy from Micah 5:2: the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. They understood the promises of Scripture—Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6—yet they did nothing. That hits close to home. It’s possible to have knowledge, attend church, even say “Merry Christmas,” and still be spiritually unmoved. I don’t want to be someone who knows facts about Jesus but feels no urgency to worship Him.

Then I turn to Luke 2, and everything changes. The shepherds hear the angel announce “good news of great joy” and the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:8–14). Their response is what I want: they go “with haste” (Luke 2:15–16). They don’t delay. They don’t treat it as a nice story. They pursue Jesus immediately. And after they see Him, they share the message and return “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:17–20). Their worship doesn’t end with awe—it spills into witness. I need that reminder: I don’t just know Christ; I’m called to make Him known.

Simeon and Anna strengthen that challenge. Simeon rejoices because his eyes have seen God’s salvation, a light for the nations (Luke 2:25–35). Anna, even at 84, keeps serving, worshiping, and speaking about Jesus to others (Luke 2:36–38). Their lives tell me I’m never too young—or too old—to worship faithfully and speak boldly.

Finally, the wise men model what it looks like to treasure Jesus above everything. They travel far, fall down in worship, and offer costly gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrr (Matthew 2:10–11). Their giving isn’t an afterthought; it’s an expression of value.

So here’s the question I’m left with: Do I treasure Christ more than anything this world offers—and do my worship, my priorities, and my generosity prove it?

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