It can be discouraging to see so many people celebrating the upcoming “Winter Holiday” but missing the meaning and significance of it. People should know better. They’ve all heard about Jesus and “Christmas.” They should know what the season is about but it seems they don’t.
It reminds me of another group of people who should have known about Jesus because they, too, had been told. The Magi (also known as the “Wise Men”) were from the priestly tribe in Persia, one thousand miles away from where Jesus was born. They were highly educated and extremely skilled leaders of their country. They were the ones who looked for, trained and installed the kings who ruled over Persia. Thus they were king-makers, and they spent many months preparing and traveling to see and worship their real King, Jesus.
They should have known, and did, because Daniel had taught them when he was in Persia many years earlier. The knowledge of the coming king passed through generations of Magi until it was time for His birth. They knew the time was near (Daniel 9:24-27) so when they saw the prophesied star (Numbers 24:17) they started their trip. They gave up much time and money to travel to see the Messiah King. They should have known because Daniel had told them, and they did. They humbled themselves to leave the country where they ruled to go to a baby in a poor village born to transient parents.
It’s sad to see so many today who don’t want to sacrifice any time or make any effort to seek and find the King of Kings. Everyone is so distracted and busy, especially at this time of the year. I want to make sure I’m not one of those so occupied at this time of the year that I don’t worship the new-born King. I can recognize those “out there” who don’t acknowledge the significance of the season, but I don’t want to be guilty of it myself. If the Magi can do all that for their King, so can I. And so can you. Like the Magi, we need to keep our priorities straight.
Matthew 2:1-2, 11 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” … 1 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
What can you do to make sure the busyness of the season doesn’t distract from the time and attention which is due Jesus? How can you keep the reason for the season foremost in your mind and heart?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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