Wise Men From the East

Sunday's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2

A Father's Heritage to Share by CM Dudash

Images of beautifully dressed Wise men on camels laden with treasure seem to leap off the pages as we read this story to our children. Reading to our children and leading them into a life of faith in Christ is the most valuable gift we can give to them, extending into eternity. This story is not only for Children's books and plays. Beyond the Christmas Cards, there is an amazing adult drama that unfolds. 

Searching for the King by CM Dudash

First, God carefully orchestrated each of the people involved in the coming of His Son... the angelic visitations to Zacharias, Mary and Joseph. Consider that even Caesar decreed the census at the exact time that Jesus would be born. In so doing he brought Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was there that Jesus, the King and son of David was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, exactly as prophesied through the prophet Micah. God also orchestrated the angelic vision to the shepherds and the star that appeared in the heavens, signaling to the wise men far off of the birth of a king. There is a rhythm of simultaneous events taking place in each life and culminating with the witness of the birth of Immanuel, God with us.
 
God moved in the lives of humble seekers of Him to bring this about. In today's reading we meet the not so humble ones. After centuries of prophecies of a coming Messiah, news of a new king being born is TROUBLING to Herod and all of Jerusalem. God's greatest gift to mankind is a perceived threat to their power structure. Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes as to where the Christ was to be born. They knew exactly where because of the prophecy that He would be born in Bethlehem. Yet, when all the signs the Jews sought were fulfilled, they missed their Messiah, God's gift to them, because they were more invested in this life on earth, than God's eternal Kingdom. An important insight for us in a culture of self, acquisition and status.
 
The Wise Men left and followed the star till it came and stood over where the young child was. They came into the house, saw the child with His mother Mary and fell down and worshiped Him for whom a star was born. When they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold for the KING OF KINGS, frankincense for the Priest of Priests and myrrh for the sacrifice. Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod and they left another way
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Oh let us seek Him and worship Him in joyous adoration!

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