Seeking The King

-December 15, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“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, 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.’”

(Matthew 2:1-2).

The story of the Wise Men or Magi is a very familiar one, yet it is shrouded in mystery, but clothed in beauty and wonder. There is much we do not know about these men: Who were they? What country did they come from? How many were there? How did they know that the King of the Jews would be born in Israel? How did the star guide him? How did they know that it was a such a special star?

But instead of focusing on what we don’t know, let us consider what we do know: they were on a mission to find the newborn King. They surely traveled a long distance, faced challenges, dangers, and hardships along the way. They had inspiration, determination, confirmation, and affirmation.

Herod was the king in Judea at the time, yet he was not the king they were looking for. They came to him to inquire where the Christ would be born. He consulted with the chief priests and scribes and determined that Christ, according to Scripture, would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “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” (Matthew 2:8). He had no intentions of worshiping Him, but instead wanted to kill Him.

When they set off they saw the same star and it led them to where Jesus was. They rejoiced with exceeding great joy and fell down and worshiped Him. Tomorrow we will consider the gifts they brought to Him and the significance of them. We can be assured their mission was successful.

Wise men still seek Him today. There is a beautiful Christmas hymn, written by John H. Hopkins, Jr. that captures the essence of the Wisemen, entitled appropriately, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” The last verse says, “Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies.” The chorus reads, “O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. Amen.”

Let us seek Jesus Christ our King! May we rejoice and worship Him! The world knows the Christmas story but they don’t know the Christ of Christmas in a personal and intimate way as Lord and Savior. Let us share the true meaning of Christmas far and wide.

Have a blessed day in joyful reflection on our wonderful Savior’s birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Stay safe and healthy.

In holy contemplation in our glorious redemption, Merry Christmas,

Dean