“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 KJV)
For many years a certain family had collected manger scenes throughout their travels. In one inconspicuous little place where they spent Christmas, the family discovered a beautiful hand-made manger scene. It was obvious to all that this crèche had been carved with loving care and expertise. It became the centerpiece of the family’s Christmas decorations. One year the baby figurine could not be found and turning the house upside down failed to recover the piece. The parents thought the manger scene was ruined until one of the children reminded them of the wise men’s search for the new born King.
The Angel of the Lord told the shepherds to go to Jerusalem and search for Christ the Lord, their Savior, who had been born that day in Jerusalem. He told them to look for a baby lying in a manger. Just east of Jerusalem, wise men saw his star and started on a journey to find and worship him. Yet, the Apostle John tells us that “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11 KJV).
We may note that Herod and Israel were far more concerned with the Emperor’s tax and census decree than with a baby’s birth whose parents were so poor they couldn’t find decent accommodations even with family in Jerusalem. In addition, even when the shepherds told their story, all those who heard it only “wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:17-18 KJV). There is no evidence that any of them rushed to see the Savior for them selves . . . they were only amazed at the shepherds’ story.
When the wise men from the east arrived at Herod’s throne in search of this new “King of the Jews,” suddenly Mary’s baby became a hunted person. Only, he was hunted to be killed because Herod feared he would lose his throne to this child.
Christ is often missing from many post-modern family celebrations. Perhaps we should remove the baby figurines from all manger scenes to remind us that we must personally seek him. It is up to us to find Christ for ourselves! It wasn’t in the noisy, busy marketplace of the Emperor’s business or Herod’s palace that Christ could be found . . . but in a simple, quiet stable lying in a rough, hay-filled manger.
Dear Father, thank you for Christ our Lord and Savior. We know that wise men and women still seek him. Empower us with the wisdom to seek him with all our hearts. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your personal search after Christ,