12 Days of Christmas: Day 10
After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:9–11)
How miraculously and graciously the hand of God directed these wise men, leading them directly to the Christ child. How joyful they were in God’s leading! The signs of God’s presence cannot help but fill us with great joy and peace. I am reminded of God’s word to Joshua:
Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.
(Joshua 1:9)
We should be glad for everything and everyone that points us to Christ—directing us to things above rather than earthly things. Paul tells us our minds and hearts should be focused upward:
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth.
(Colossians 3:1–2)
There is continual joy in God’s presence. I am reminded of King David’s words:
You lead me in the path of life;
I experience absolute joy in your presence;
you always give me sheer delight.
(Psalm 16:11)
God enabled the wise men to do that which they themselves were unable to do by their own abilities and devices. No compass or GPS could have led them there. Even King Herod was confused over the whereabouts of the King of the Jews. As we follow after the Master, God directs, enables, and equips us through His power just as He did these wise men. I am reminded of Paul’s words:
I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:13)
What in the world might have been the reaction of the wise men to the humble place in which the star led them to discover the King of Kings? Surely they had to have been at the very least taken aback when they saw a cottage instead of a castle. Yet we discover in our verses quite the opposite. Undeterred, they humbly present themselves in worship first, then their gifts second. Interestingly, the Bible tells us they bow down in worship to the Lord Jesus even though they had not given such honor to Herod. Neither a castle nor a crown makes a man a king.
These wise men present their gifts of gold and incense and myrrh to young Jesus. What might Mary have been thinking while all this was taking place? In the eastern nations, when one did homage to their kings, they brought gifts from their own country.
The gifts presented to Jesus had symbolic value as well as monetary value. Gold was offered because Jesus is King; incense was offered because Jesus is God, and God was honored with the smoke of incense; and finally, myrrh was offered to Jesus as a man who would die, as myrrh was used for embalming dead bodies. These gifts were a timely relief sent by God to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. This probably helped them when they headed toward Egypt. God also protected these wise men, warning them in a dream not to go back to King Herod.
Become More
“We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.” —Matthew Henry
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him, in all your ways and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:5–6)
Read the Word
Matthew 2:9–12
2:9 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 2:10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 2:11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12 After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.