Category Archives: seeking understanding

On this third day of Christmas I’d like to consider some ideas about the Magi. In the Christian year, they are focused on during the next season, Epiphany. But for many, they are passed by casually as three guys who bring presents. But a close reading of the Gospels gives us a lot more information. Between now and Epiphany I want to point out a few things that I think important.

First of all, if we look back at the OT prophecies, we see the birth of Jesus spelled out. Some point out that it would be possible for religious scholars – that’s what these “wise men” essentially were – to know that the Jews were looking for a Messiah, a king to be born. If they had taken this idea seriously as scholars are apt to do, they would have put 2 and 2 together, reading clues from Jewish prophets, and begun looking for signs.

Signs in the sky?

So, there was some interplanetary confluence in 4BC. But I don’t think that is what caught their eye. No, I think if they were looking west-southwest in the sky each night, I think they might have seen a glowing beacon that had nothing to do with the proximity of 2-3 planets. I think they saw the sky lit up from angels glorifying God. Luke describes the shepherds as seeing a “multitude of the heavenly host”.

If I’m right, the next day they would have made the arrangements necessary to make their way from – maybe Babylon – the east. This would have been quite a journey that would take weeks. The only reason we sing about three kings is three named gifts. More about the gifts later.

Also in the days to come I will consider a big reason to realize the Magi did not come to Bethlehem.

But to close today’s thoughts, I’d like to get back to the angels for a moment. What were they doing? Glorifying God. What is our primary objective as followers of Jesus? Glorifying God.

Let us be like the shepherds. At the end of their experience with angels and the holy family in Bethlehem, they told people what they saw and gave God glory! Let’s be like the Magi, who set out to learn more and offer gifts to the king!

The 12 days of Christmas are not just a song. They are a season, the second season of the Christian year (which began with Advent). Through this season, will be thoughts of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God. One of the clearest description may have become familiar recently as we’ve thought through Advent. it is a text that beautifully describes the work of Christ!

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians‬ ‭1:15-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

On this final day of Advent we again consider joy, again in the form of rejoicing.

God sent an angel to be his messenger with the great news of the incarnation of the Son. This messenger informs young Mary that she was to bear the Son of God incarnate. Paul said the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in the man who would be named Jesus. The young woman’s reply is found in Luke’s Gospel:

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,’” (Luke‬ ‭1:46-47‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Her spirit rejoices!

As we wait for the celebration that comes tomorrow – celebrating the already…

and for the eternal celebration – the not yet…

… let us remember to rejoice in God our savior.

Advent, of which we are in the final days, is a time of waiting. We wait to celebrate the incarnation of the eternal Son of God, Jesus. But we also await his return to rule the new heavens and the new earth with justice. This already and not yet can be seen in Psalm 85.

The psalmist begins with “You showed…” and a few lines later our writer says “Restore us…”

Already.

Not yet.

I suggest you look at the entire Psalm and in the last “stanza” we can see a study of the work of the Son of God:

“Love and faithfulness meet…”

“righteousness and peace kiss…”

If we consider his love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace, this can fill us with joy.

But this requires discipline. This is why we may see a correlation between a neglect of our focus on him and a lack of joy.

“Set your minds.”

Joy is internal. It emerges from our soul. It is from God in us and the Spirit moves because Christ sent him to us according to the Father’s plan. One practical way for me to foster joy is meditating on the Bible, the psalmist seems to agree:

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:111‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Marinate in Scripture and watch joy emerge.