December 18–He Came for All of Us

Happy Tuesday and I hope you are doing well. Over the past few days, I’ve seen nativity scenes in all sorts of places. The wise men are always depicted with their gifts and camels even though they probably rode horses, they didn’t go to the stable, but to a house, and Jesus is referred to as a child rather than a baby, so he was probably closer to a toddler. Yet, when I see the scene, I don’t think about all of that—I think about them rejoicing “with exceedingly great joy.” 


“...and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew‬ ‭2:9-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬


These learned men, the Magi were not Jews, they were pagan astrologers. They did not have knowledge of the scriptures foretelling of the Savior, yet they greatly and exceedingly rejoiced at the sight of the star over the house of the King of kings. Their gifts make it clear understood the significance of this child and the undisputed fact that indeed a miracle had happened—gold for royalty, frankincense for worship of a deity, and myrrh used to prepare one for burial. They were probably from Arabia (Sheba) and advisors to the king. They were outsiders, the ultimate Gentiles, yet they understood.   


How great is it, that because Christ came, we too can rejoice with exceedingly great joy? He didn’t only come for the Jews, but for the whole world. Could that be why God gave the sign of the star to these outsiders? To show that this Christ Child would bear the sins for all of us—Jew and Gentile alike? I think so. 


Dear Lord, thank you for coming for all of us. Beginning with your entry, you show us that even those of us who are not Jew and are certainly not perfect, truly outsiders, are welcome at your table. We praise you for what you are to us and what you have done for us. You are a great God, the King of kings, the Holy One, the Christ Child. You alone are worthy of our worship and we come to you just as we are. Mold us and make us more like you. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend, 

Pam 



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