The Magi were in Jerusalem, not because they wanted to see the town, but
because they were unavoidably detained. The star which they had seen from their
home hadn’t led them directly to the stable; it brought them into the land of
the Jews where they stopped to ask directions to the place of the Baby’s birth.
King Herod had to summon priests and teachers of law to tell him of Micah’s
prophecy. Only then did the wise men receive the information they needed and
could travel to Bethlehem.
Upon leaving the palace after their private audience with the king, the
star reappeared. “When they saw the star,” Matthew records, “they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy.”
That star led them directly to Baby Jesus where they fell on their knees
in worship. Or, in another perspective, their
joy led them to worship.
Joy is a fitting celebration of the incarnation of God, the most
miraculous thing this world has known. The Magi’s joy, and our own, is merely a
reflection of the rejoicing there was in heaven when the Savior was born, as
seen in the angelic announcement to the shepherds. Their joy was expressed in
the form of corporal worship when the sky was suddenly filled with angels
saying, “Glory to God in the highest!”
Our joy this season should lead us to worship. Most of us, like the
Magi, are strangers instead of Jews by birth. That we are included in the plan
of salvation is reason enough for us Gentiles to be filled with “exceeding great
joy” over the birth of our Savior. So, like the angels who came out in their
numbers that night, let us join the myriad of saints this season and rejoice in
the advent of Christ.
Written for and originally published by Daughters of Promise. Used by permission
No, the following picture is not of the Magi stuck in Jerusalem, but it is a group of people who are rejoicing in the birth and life of Jesus. God bless you this Christmas.
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