06-Jan-22 (Matthew 2:1-12)

You've probably all heard the story of the wisemen coming to visit the baby Jesus. We hear it every year about this time. What do you remember from the story of the wisemen? [Wait for answers]
One important thing about this story is that it shows us that Jesus wasn't just for one group of people. Jesus came to show everyone in the world that God loves them. Jesus came to show everyone in the world that we can love each other too. So, nobody "owns" Jesus.
That means, the next time anyone tells you that Jesus is only for a specific group of people, you can know that that isn't so. The people in this room don't own Jesus. This congregation doesn't own Jesus. Our church doesn't own Jesus. Even the Church everywhere in the world doesn't own Jesus. Jesus is for everyone. Jesus' love is for everyone. And what does that say about who we should love?
That's right. Everyone.
Let's pray about that.

Prayer

God, we thank you for Jesus, who teaches us about you and your love for us all. We thank you that Jesus' love is for everyone. Help us not to think we own Jesus or to think we only need to love one group of people. Help us to share your love with the whole world.
We pray in Jesus' name. AMEN