Among all the Christmas carols in our morning service today, we sang the song, "I bring an offering of worship to my King" this morning. Later in the service, I preached from Matthew 2:1 -12, the story of the Magi. Such familiar words, yet if we pause and focus, we always find something new; a new challenge, a new thought, a new appreciation.
I was impressed again this week at what it cost these men to visit the "new born King." Travelling by foot, donkey, camel or some combination, the trip took weeks, if not several months. It is a long way from the south end of the Arabian Peninsula or from Babylon (near present day Baghdad) - must be a thousand km. at least. A costly trip with costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
If Mary and Joseph were shocked by the visit of the shepherds on the night Christ was born, imagine their shock when they opened the door to wealthy Gentiles from a distant land seeking a King?
Had they settled into their new home and new life in Bethlehem? Had Joseph found a job with a local carpenter? Were they now feeling like "normal people" since nothing out of the ordinary had happened for months? Were they wondering what would happen next as they parented this holy child?
Suddenly these three (or five or a dozen) men are bowing before the King, presenting their very expensive offerings to Him, the "one born King of the Jews".
Aren't you glad they came? No one else offered gifts. But God moved in the minds and hearts of these unknown scholars/astrologers to offer their homage and the first, very appropriate gifts to the baby King Jesus.
And we get to do the same: at Christmas and on every other day.
I was impressed again this week at what it cost these men to visit the "new born King." Travelling by foot, donkey, camel or some combination, the trip took weeks, if not several months. It is a long way from the south end of the Arabian Peninsula or from Babylon (near present day Baghdad) - must be a thousand km. at least. A costly trip with costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
If Mary and Joseph were shocked by the visit of the shepherds on the night Christ was born, imagine their shock when they opened the door to wealthy Gentiles from a distant land seeking a King?
Had they settled into their new home and new life in Bethlehem? Had Joseph found a job with a local carpenter? Were they now feeling like "normal people" since nothing out of the ordinary had happened for months? Were they wondering what would happen next as they parented this holy child?
Suddenly these three (or five or a dozen) men are bowing before the King, presenting their very expensive offerings to Him, the "one born King of the Jews".
Aren't you glad they came? No one else offered gifts. But God moved in the minds and hearts of these unknown scholars/astrologers to offer their homage and the first, very appropriate gifts to the baby King Jesus.
And we get to do the same: at Christmas and on every other day.
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