"Hurry up Gaspar, you are taking way too long. You should have had the camels fed this morning. You knew we would be leaving," Melchior told him. "I know, I know, but what was I to do? My servants went into the marketplace bazaar, and didn't get back till late", Gaspar said. "Hurry, Hurry up, you, two", Said Balthasar, "we have not much time to waste. God has spoken to us, and we must go. We must go as the Book of Daniel, has given us direction." And so the great caravan along with their livestock, and supplies, went off into the wilderness, into and through the mountain gorges. During their trek, with eighty four of their servants and assistants. They marveled at the expanse of the universe filled with the beauty of the celestial firmament. "I cannot believe how beautiful and clear the sky is. The glory of the creation of the Lord," Melchior said. "Yes, Yes. It is a miracle, God has given us the special privilege to travel outside of our local boundaries to see things we have never saw before." As they sat around the fire, drinking a warm beverage, they pondered and shared their experiences of God's goodness. Then at that moment, Gaspar cried aloud. "Wow! did you see that?" "What? What are you talking about?" Said the other two. "That was a meteor! Over beyond that ridge." "Yes. Yes. Glory to the Lord, my son", said Balthasar. The next morning they continued their journey towards the far away land they never knew. It was a tiresome journey and a very dangerous one. Night after night, God had guided them with the sign of a star. The sign of a mighty quasar in the heavenlies. Then after much geography covered and difficult roads. They saw the star in the distance. They saw the activity of a distant city. After inquiry made, they determined it was the capital of a nation, Jerusalem, Israel. One they somehow felt affinity for. One they were gladdened and felt a certain holiness about. Melchior commented,"How do you think the their ruler will accept us?" Do you think he knows about the coming King to be born?" "Well, we will never know until we reach into his palace and ask him", Gaspar said. "Yes, it is true. We will enter the city in the morning", said Balthasar. "For now, let us get some rest, and make sure our animals are fed and rested up as well, for the journey." The next morning upon entering the city, they were in awe. Everyone was amazed at them, and questioned who they were and what was the purpose of their visit. Finally, after much questioning, they asked to see the king. King Herod. A regimen of soldiers and an officer had led them to the palace. "Who is it you seek?", said Herod. "We seek the King to be born. God has spoken to us, and has guided us by a star for a thousand miles. That is why we are here. We will not leave until we have fulfilled our purpose. The purpose of worshipping the Christ. The King", said Balthasar. "Yes, yes. Go on your way. And please do not hesitate to inform me of your find. That I also may come to worship the king. You may go on your journey", Herod said. "Hey, did you feel what I felt? That man. I felt he was very evil. I felt as if he were demon possessed." Said Gaspar. "Might have been. For I felt a certain wickedness to his words, said Melchior. "Let us contiune on our journey, my brothers", said Balthasar. As they traveled many more miles. They encamped in the hills. And there it was. The star. They got very excited and cried out with tears. 'Oh, God! You are Faithful. You have led us, and there it is. You have kept your promise! Thank you. Thank you! Baltahsar said, "We must go at once. Let us go." So they packed their many belonging victuals, supplies, and livestock. "There it is there! It is that little town." Gaspar said. After much debate they realized it was Bethlehem, the City of Bread. 'Look a stable. A stable. It is over that stable." Upon entering, they saw it. They saw a man along with his wife. A baby in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Animals all around. It was then they broke in tears. They had never in their lives ever felt what they were experiencing. They had an encounter with God. With God's Only Son. Then Joseph and Mary, bewildered, and surprised, looked at them. Joseph said, Sirs, "Peace, Peace. What my friends, what is the purpose of your visit?" Each of them with crying with tears , and sobbing, lifted up their voices. "We have come to worship the King! God has led us through the wilderness for many days and different timetables. And now here we are! We have seen the King face to face. Praise God Almighty, who has sent His One and Only Son. And to think, we are a big part of it." "Peace and blessing to you", said Joseph. "May God bless you for all you have done." "Here, we present our gifts to the Great King", said Gaspar, the youngest of the three. "Gold. For He is born to be a King." Next was Melchior. "Here is Frankincense. For He is born to be a High Priest of the Most High God." Next, Balthasar said, 'Here is Myrrh. of the very best from my land. Very precious. He will live a life of spiritual impact. Through Him, the world again, will never be the same. This myrrh, represents, He will die to Himself, and give His life as a ransom for many. With these gifts, marks the ending of our journey before the Lord. And the beginning of a new one. Mary said, "May God bless you on your journey back to your land. We will never forget all you have done. May God watch over you and protect you."
In this narrative, I have written, we could only imagine, what it must have been like. The hardship of travel, weather conditions and danger. Yes, we do not wish for the Star. We seek the Star. We have found Him. Christ, the King. The Son of God. God the Son. What message does the gospel story present to you and me, at this time of Christmas?
1. They prepared their hearts to seek God.
They came a mighty long way. Tradition has it, they were from ancient Persia. The distance was about 1,000 miles. It means they paid, and funded their own trip, to seek the King. What about you? Do you prepare your heart to seek God? Christians of today, find it a chore to even go to church on sundays and or travel to a service five miles away? Not so the wisemen. They prepared their hearts for the journey among the ancient trails.
2. They were lively readers and students of scripture.
Tradition has it, they were avid students of the Book of Daniel. That in it, they found clues as to the birth of Christ Jesus. God told Joshua. you will have success, if you study the Book of the Law. Josh 1:8 The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psa. 119:105
3. They were obedient to God's voice, and direction.
Scripture says, they went from a far away country. It doesn't say, they hesitated, and or went grudgingly. It says, they came to the place where the young Babe was. And presented Him with their gifts, from a far away land.
At this Christmas season. May we give to God our undivided attention. May we give attention to 3 things:
1. The gold we possess.
The world worships money. Though money is important to pay our bills. The issue is not monetary. It is the heart. It talks of what we own. May we recognize, that whatever we own belongs to God. What a beautiful pattern the wisemen set for you and me. May we worship Christ Jesus, with our gold. After all, Is He not our King? One day, we will walk on streets of Gold in heaven.
2. Give Him our Frankincense. Heb 3:1; 2 Cor 4:10
We give Him our frankincense, by allowing Him to redeem us. And recieve Him as our covering. As the sacrifice covered the sins of the people. So He as the Offering, has covered us. Now, with Him in our life, we go around with a sweet fragrance wherever we go. Bearing about the life of Christ in our heart. Therefore, we can also pray as priests before the Lord. Taking people before God. And bring God to the people. May we go to the cities, with this great news.
3. Being partakers of the Myrrh.
Jesus said, if we die, we live. The way up is down. To give is to recieve. To the human mind, sounds like contradiction. But to God, it is right side up. Rom. 12:1-2 How do you know you, as a Christian, are living a crucified life?
1.) You're looking forward
2.) You have no other agenda
3.) You are not coming down.
4.) You experience what it is which comes with suffering.
Yes, my brothers and sisters. We do not wish upon the star. We leave that kids game to the likes of Rolls Royce. You know, that old bunk jam. Rather, we follow the Lord. The One who gave His life. The One who didn't mince about with the trivial. But stayed focused, and died a sinners death. Yet, God raised Him from the dead. From the Cradle to the Cross. He is alive forever more. "Thank God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Cor 9:15 May you have a Merry Christmas. God loves you. Please do not forget to share the gospel with at least one person this week. And don't forget to go to church, wherever you are. I love you. God bless you.
feel free to share your comments. if not, have a Wonderful Christmas!
Posts
