“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Mat 2:1-2 NIV)
All our lives, commercials, advertisements, and merchandising displays have bombarded us from every direction. As early as August, stores begin marketing their Christmas merchandise. Christmas stores have sprung up all over America and stay open throughout the year. By December 25, we are so inundated with Christmas that we can celebrate it without ever getting its message.
The Eastern “wise men” were searching the heavens for any message the stars might bring to them. We may be certain that wise men and women still look toward heaven for God’s message to mankind? These wise men recognized both the special nature and the message of this new star. It told them that a great king had been born. Isn’t it interesting that his star was seen as far away as their nations? How many other people may have surveyed those same heavens and missed his star? How many other nations around the globe could have seen his star if they would have been looking?
The Scriptures teach us: “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time”(Heb 9:28 KJV). Therefore, it certainly seems reasonable that more people would have seen his star the first time, if they had been looking for it. King Herod certainly did not know about this star. His counselors (the chief priests and teachers of the law) did not know about this star, only where the Christ was supposed to be born. Their ignorance of the birth of their Messiah is deplorable. It seems obvious that they were not looking for him, hence they did not know about or see his star.
Scripture does not say these wise men were kings, yet common sense would suggest that they were wealthy. When they saw the star and decided to seek out the new king, preparations for the long, arduous journey began. By the time they arrived at King Herod’s court two years had past. What a commitment! They followed this new star to simply understand the full meaning of the new king’s star!
There was something about this new king’s star that revealed his character and nature to these wise men. This new king was greater than all other kings. This new king was to be sought out. This new king was to be worshipped. Note that these Easterners did not waver in their purpose when they discovered that the new king was only a child. They got the message!
Dear Father, thank you for our Savior and Lord who was born on that first Christmas. Grant that we may always share the message of Christmas with others. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the message of Christmas,