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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (Matthew 2: 1-12)
A very Happy and Blessed New Year to you and yours, dear Friend! I trust that the New Year be one filled with many blessings and opportunities to serve the Lord! May we seek faithfulness and fruitfulness!
This coming Sunday is a wonderful Sunday for the Church. It is Epiphany Sunday, the day associated with the arrival of the wise men to the home of the infant Jesus. It is a declaration also, of God's plan for all humanity to know the Savior born to be our Lord and Messiah. There is joy and drama associated with this passage. The GPS (Guiding Powerful Star!) led the magi to Jerusalem first. It seemed logical that any child born to be king might be born in a palace, perhaps as an heir to the king. We know better in this case. King Herod was not known for his kindness and/or understanding. He was very jealous of his throne and even killed several of his sons when they got too close for comfort in his opinion. And to have important visitors from the East inquiring about a new king, it was too much for a paranoid ruler to process! We read that in the verse that says "he was frightened." He wanted to know where this new child was, not to pay homage to Him, but to seek to kill Him. (Even at His birth, Jesus was sought out to be murdered!). Herod finds out from the advisors he had, that the child would be born in Bethlehem, and so he directs the magi there, lying to them his intentions to seek him as well. Led by the star, they found the child, knelt before Him, as we all should, and paid Him homage. From their treasure chests they shared generous and significant gifts; gold, the gift for a king. Frankincense, the gift for a high priest; and myrrh, the burial ointment which would be used for His internment. They left by another way, since God warned them in a dream to head in another direction.
Wise men and wise women still seek Him. For in Him we find the meaning and purpose for our lives. In Christ we find life and that to the fullest. And in Him we find eternal life. Many of us as we count down the seconds to the New Year often wonder, what does this New Year hold for us? And we think of great and exciting things, and we also think of the worse case scenarios for ourselves. To paraphrase the hymn writer, "I don't know what the New Year holds, but I know Who hold the New Year!" Indeed, it is God. And we know that God holds us.
For our prayer today, I have shared a link below of John Wesley's Covenant Prayer as I recorded it this morning, along with a greeting. You can click on that link and read along with me this powerful and meaningful prayer. If you're not he run, just read it as shared here:
I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! May our day reflect the faith that will see us through this New Year!
LINK TO THE PRAYER as read by me:
