December 20th

2 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 saw his star when it rose 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, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

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.

Have you ever read these 12 verses telling of “Wise Men from the East” following a star and your having, like them, a sense of excitement to travel (geographically at least 2 months from some eastern region - some scholars say up to two years), to seek, and to worship the “One born King of the Jews?” The Season of Advent is a glorious time to reread this story of following the star God provided to serve as a birth announcement and us be regenerated by it. To gain a new feeling of excitement and expectation. We have December 25th when we celebrate the glorious birth of Jesus. And then we have the Twelve Days of Christmas (the travel period) which leads up to January 6th, Epiphany, which means to be made manifest. God made manifest in Jesus.

But sometimes, through our human nature, we stop there. Or at least slow down. We grow tired in our journey. In our discipleship. In our Bible study. In our church attendance. In our stewardship. In our desire to do good to others as we would have them do to us. Instead, may we be diligent to sustain our excitement all through the next year by striving to be wise enough, and excited enough, to daily follow that bright and ever shining star of announcement that the Light of the World has come! Let us daily seek our God made manifest in Jesus, our Immanuel, our God with us.