Matthew 2:1-2
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
I have, over the years, wondered about these visitors from the east.
These magi...
These wise men.
It is evident they were learned in the art of science and astronomy. Some have even suggested that they were astrologists.
I do not know this to be true.
What I do know is that they were guided by a star.
How they came to know of the importance must surely have come from God.
It was burned into the hearts to such a degree that they left family and friend to make this journey.
Such a journey could not be undertaken as we do today.
It has been estimated that the Magi's journey took 1 to 2 years to complete.
I would even venture to guess that they traveled solely at night, as the star guided them.
But what was it that drove them on this journey?
Was it a quest for knowledge?
Was it a desire to understand a "new" thing?
Or
Was it God himself who stirred the heart of these wise men, these magi to simply be obedient?
I fall upon the idea that no man can receive unless God first gives.
The magi were all a part of God's plan in the birth of His son.
Scripture says that "WHEN THE Day's WERE COMPLETED" Mary gave birth to her son.
"When the days were completed" does not simply mean that Mary's nine months were up and it was time for the birth.
The Days of completion extends all the way back to Genesis 3:15 where God declares that the seed of woman and the seed of the serpent will be enemies.
If you read this verse, of course the first thing that jumps out is the "seed of woman".
Women do not carry the seed.
They carry the egg.
Man carries the seed.
God was stating that there was going to be a birth that would be unlike any other.
A child shall be born and a son given.....
A virgin shall conceive under the power of the Holy Spirit and Emanuel, God with us, shall be born.
In the midst of all this activity came magi from the east.
Slowly and deliberately they made their way to Jerusalem to find the King of the Jews.
To worship Him.
To bring gifts to Him.
To see what child was of such importance that the very heavens were ordered to proclaim his birth.
This Christmas season, take time to read the story of the birth of Christ as though it really took place.
Sometimes we are so jaded by Hallmark moments and Hollywood movies that we loose sight of the
humanity involved in Scripture.
In the darkest of times.
In the most evil of governments...
In a land that had been given in promise from Jehovah God...
That a babe....
A child entered our time and space...
And things would never be the same....
Praise God!
Merry Christmas...
God on you.....
mb
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