Rejoice my friends we are but three days away from the celebration of our Lord’s birth. Be a blessing to someone today; tell them the truth of the birth of our Lord. St. Matthew 2: 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. ESV THOUGHT: Each of the participants involved with Christ’s birth—Mary and Joseph, the inn keeper, the angels, shepherds, and wise men—has much to teach us. Although there is no scriptural basis for stating dogmatically that there were three wise men, the fact that three distinct gifts are mentioned has given rise to this traditional idea. Master artists throughout the centuries have depicted three wise men on camels as one of their favorite nativity themes. The number of wise men is not important, but the fact that they persisted in following the light that was given them until they found the object of their search, that they responded in worship, and that they returned home to share their experience with others—all has much to tell us. Also, the gifts presented to the Christ-child were both significant and appropriate: gold, symbolic of His kingly reign; frankincense, symbolic of His priestly ministry; myrrh, symbolic of our redemption through His death. How important it is that our gifts of love and devotion be offered to Christ after we have first found Him and then have bowed in true adoration before Him. The favorite carol of the season tells us a beautiful story: We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never over us all to reign. Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, all men raising, worship Him, God on high. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom: Sorr’wing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; alleluia, alleluia! Earth to heav’n replies. Have we forgotten to give our love and devotion to our King and Savior? Have we failed to bow to His majesty? Bow to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Grant us your wisdom, strength, and guidance as we seek to spread the truth of our Savior to a lost world O Lord. Lead us in paths of righteousness as we walk in this world, in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:24:16 +0000
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