Meeting the Messiah

It's just a few days before Christmas. It's true that when you're so busy, focused on other things, you forget what season you're in. But thank God there is always time to Selah, to praise, to marvel.

Giving myself time to ponder on the reason of this season I felt myself in the shoes of the three wise men, following this special star that led them to Jesus.

Wow, to be there to see Christ born. In the flesh; to see the many prophecies happen in real life.

The wise men knew what that special star meant.

The wise men were magi, Eastern magi mixed Zoroastrianism with astrology and black magic (Holman)*. Their interest was in astrology, a practice condemned in the Bible (Holman). And yet, God used what they knew to get their attention. He knew they would notice that star and would know that it would lead them to their true savior.

They recognized the star although there has never been a star like that before. They went to see this promise. They went to meet their savior, the messiah. They knew about this savior to come and went to meet him.

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." They all "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." When was the last time you "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy?" Imagine three men — who practiced something that God detested — rejoice with great joy to meet the Prince of Peace. They didn't feel condemned, they weren't ashamed to show their excitement, nor could they contain themselves, they knew who they were going to meet.

To worship him and give to him. They gave gifts, an offering. It must have been so sensational to have been there.

"And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."

Thank you, God, for not letting anything get in the way of sending our savior.

Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.
— Matthew 2:2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
— Matthew 2:10

*Holman Study Bible, NKJV Edition