Christmas

 

In Matthew 2, an event is reported in regard to the birth of Jesus. Very special men come from the East, because they had seen an unusual sign in the heavens. They noticed a star that had not been observed before. They believed that this star designates the birth of a very special king. 
These men are very unusual. Being noted that they are from the East, it is very likely that they are Gentiles. The notation that they are "wise men" or magoi, means that they could fit into any or all of the following descriptions: teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers (astronomers), scientists, seers, interpreters of dreams. The implication is that they are spiritually gifted in a certain manner. These men come from "the East". This means in the natural, Chaldea, Media, Persia, etc. The root meaning of the word "East" used here means "a rising (of the sun, moon and stars), direction of the sun's rising, to cause to arise as of the earth to bring forth plants". The root can also mean "into the midst of the end". So these men were very mysterious, and their appearance should draw our attention. These men were important enough for King Herod to invite them before him, even though for his own purposes.
As the wise men discover that the scriptures prophesy that the Messiah, the king, whom they seek, would be born in Bethlehem, they head in that direction. They immediately notice the star moving before them and guiding them in a specific direction. They are amazed as the star rests over the place where the Christ child was. They were rejoicing with great joy, the scripture says, having been supernaturally guided to whom they so desired to find.
As the wise men entered the house marked by the star, they found Mary and her son. These men of honor and reputation, these men of science and spiritual gifting, bowed down in worship before the child. They had found the King. They worshiped Him with their bodies, and they worshiped Him with their substance. They had not come looking for this King empty-handed, but came prepared to give Him gifts. They broke open their treasuries to bring forth these gifts. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gold symbolizes God's might and power in creating, preserving His creation, judging His creation, and controlling the destinies of men.
Frankincense is a white resin burned as incense. It comes from a tree. The white ash that remains after burning symbolizes something that has been purified by fire.
Myrrh is a costly perfume made from a bitter gum gathered from incisions made into the bark of a tree. It is an antiseptic, and was often used in treating the dead body before burial. The root meaning of the word "myrrh" is to be spread or stretched out, to break in pieces.
There is a prophecy in Isa. 60:6 that could very well apply to this special visit of the Magoi:
"The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba shall come;
They shall bring gold and incense."

What do the gifts of the Magoi teach us about our own worship of the King of Kings this Christmas and always? The gifts that the wise men brought reflected the nature of the child they came to see. The gifts honored His position in the God-head, the purification of men by the blood of Christ, and His being an antiseptic against the condition of death, the corruption of the body of man.
As we worship and honor the birth of Christ, we break open our treasuries and bring forth gifts that are reflective of Christ's purpose in the earth, in us. Let us seek Him diligently, as the wise men did, and having found Him, let us show Him honor and glory with gifts worthy of His title of King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. And with these gifts let us proclaim:
"How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
Your God reigns!"                               Isa. 52:7 

To the heavens and the earth we proclaim this good news. To every person we proclaim this good news.

Our God reigns.


"We Three Kings of Orient Are"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mjRxkMBkE

"What Can I bring"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzPBZzKEPog