Wednesday after the Sunday after Christmas
Posted on January 4, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV)
2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Devotion
The long journey of the magi and their arrival at Bethlehem produce some interesting themes. There is the subject of human ignorance and divine revelation. There is the contrast of normal expectations and hidden realities. Consider how the story develops. The magi arrive in Jerusalem not knowing where the King is supposed to be. They go to Jerusalem instead of the prophesied Bethlehem, and consult with the pagan Herod to find out where the real King is. But alas, some priests and scribes recall the prophecy and mention Bethlehem. And so, off the magi go and link up again with the star, which is now parked over Jesus’ new residence. The magi can’t miss. In short, God won’t allow the ignorance of the magi, nor the evil cunning of Herod, to thwart His promise to save His people through the coming of this newborn King.
Once God gets the job done by accomplishing salvation, He makes sure it gets delivered as well. For like those “wise men” who were in need of the greater wisdom, He takes you unwittingly to the font to make sure you get to the right place. Once you get there, a miracle happens. The pagan becomes a believer, and the ignorant becomes a wise man. In spite of ignorant and rebellious man, God accomplishes salvation. In pity of man, He also delivers the goods.
Prayer: Almighty and Everlasting God, direct our actions according to Thy good pleasure, that in the Name of Thy beloved Son, we may be made to abound in good works; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
