ChristmasReading2022A - Flipbook - Page 52
DAY Twenty-
The Wise Men
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house,
they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and
worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him
with gi s of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Ma hew 2:10-11
Ma hew men ons the magi coming from the east. These were the
wise men—astrologers really—who, unlike Herod who fought the
infant King, wanted to nd and worship Him. There are three wise men
tradi onally. They have been given names: Melchior, Caspar and
Balthasar. In truth we do not know their names or even how many
made their way from the east with worship and gi s to present to
Jesus at His birth. They are the na ons in darkness who have seen a
great light.
And then there is the star that led them to
Wise men still
Bethlehem. This star was a special star
directed by the One who made all the stars
seek Him!
(Isaiah 40:26) to bring the wise men to
Israel, then to Jerusalem, on to Bethlehem
and nally to a manger where they found the One swaddled in cloths.
If God can use a very large sh to get a reluctant prophet named Jonah
to Nineveh, then He can do the same with a star. Jesus will be Lord and
Savior of all people. It does not ma er from where they come. The
magi are outsiders, but they are invited by God to the birth of His Son.
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And in the li le stable area, before the manger holding the newborn
King, they bow down and worship. They also present their gi s of gold,
frankincense and myrrh. These gi s have come to symbolize three
aspects of Jesus’ life. There is gold because He is a King. There is
frankincense because He is a priest. There is myrrh for His temporary
death and burial. He will be resurrected three days a er His death on a
cross. His Kingdom will not be built on coercive power but sacri cial
love. But in the mean me, the gi s will in all likelihood be sold to
support the young family in Egypt as they have been told to ee the
murderous and maniacal Herod.