| Matthew 2: 1-12 |
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The Visit of the Wise Men
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[b] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, 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. |
God in Control
“God made two great lights - the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth...” (Genesis 1:16-17).
Millennia later, one star outshone all the others in order to guide this group of Eastern mystics to the Christ child. One star in the right place at the right time, planned at the beginning of time by a God who knew when Jesus would be born on Earth, and knew exactly which people would use its light to find Jesus and worship Him. As God appointed the great fish to swallow Jonah, He also appointed the star to guide the wise men.
God knows each one of us and He knows what we need to guide us in our lives. He can use ALL of His creation to help us find and know Him, and He can speak to us in many ways, like He spoke to the wise men in a dream.
This Christmas, will you listen when God speaks to you? Will you follow His star and find yourself worshipping at the feet of Jesus?
“O Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.”
(Rev. J.H. Hopkins 1857)
Steve, Kit and Eve