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, “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.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘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.'”
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 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.
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Matthew 2:1-12 NKJV
The shepherds in Luke 2 were the first visitors to gaze upon the Savior, but they weren’t the only ones. The Bible also tells of the visit the magi made to the young Jesus.
When the men from the East saw a bright star in the night sky, they followed it to Bethlehem, where they brought gifts and rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. This would have taken place sometime within the first two years of His birth and signified the arrival of the King of the Jews.
God announced the birth to the lowly within the Jewish people—the shepherds—and then He included the high-ranking officials from the East (who were not included in God’s chosen people). Quite a contrast but rather indicative of who Christ came for: all people, even the ones not deemed respectable and those who were not Jews.
We celebrate the coming of Jesus for all men and women, amen!
The shepherds in Luke 2 were the first visitors to gaze upon the Savior, but they weren’t the only ones. The Bible also tells of the visit the magi made to the young Jesus.
When the men from the East saw a bright star in the night sky, they followed it to Bethlehem, where they brought gifts and rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. This would have taken place sometime within the first two years of His birth and signified the arrival of the King of the Jews.
God announced the birth to the lowly within the Jewish people—the shepherds—and then He included the high-ranking officials from the East (who were not included in God’s chosen people). Quite a contrast but rather indicative of who Christ came for: all people, even the ones not deemed respectable and those who were not Jews.
We celebrate the coming of Jesus for all men and women, amen!
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Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for including ALL of us in Your master plan of redemption. Thank You for love so pure that there are no exceptions to it in Your plan. Open our eyes to see the wondrous beauty of Your love as it enfolds us. Open our hearts to be able to receive it and to offer it to everyone You place within our sphere of influence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
