Ian Kilpatrick
Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-11 (NIV)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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 gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Reflection
I’ve never done a deep dive like this into the Christmas story. Hadn’t taken the time to analyze it much, just took the story at face value: “The greatest person to have ever existed, was born this day. Nuff said.”… Big mistake on my part. Take, for instance, these wise men from the east. I can’t help but wonder why God put on such a grand display for the lowly shepherds in the field, but for these wise kings He lets a distant, silent star woo them? Why did the Lord not send an angel, or show up in a dream or vision? Why did He lead them to Jerusalem and not straight to Bethlehem? Why were the signs the wise men followed so normal, so mundane, so easy to miss? And when they finally found the messiah, why no blinking, neon arrow?
Because it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to seek it out. (Proverbs 25:2)
Have you found that to be true in your life? I know I have. The Lord will hide things in plain site for me to discover and pursue. Things that I could have easily let pass me by had it not been for His still small voice. That distant, silent star. How many times have we missed God’s quiet leading? How many other stories could have been told about Jesus’ birth if more people, like the wise men, had been looking for the small signs?
I believe this season (not just Christmas, but this time in history) God is calling us to royalty. He’s calling on His sons and daughters to display His glory in the Earth. Let’s be His nation of priests and kings in the Conejo Valley!
Prayer
Father God, we accept the invitation to Your divine scavenger hunt. We will pursue the royal reward You have for us with passion, excitement and faith. Jesus, please quicken our hearts to hear Your voice, to see Your hand at work, to feel Your emotions within ourselves. Lord, give us boldness to chase with reckless abandon the plans You lay out for us, that we would grow in faith as we near the prize. Finally, Holy Spirit, give us generous hearts that we would pour from our own resources into the things You are doing. To Your purpose, God, we give our money, time, energy, gold, frankincense and myrrh. Amen.
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