We celebrated the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, but the nativity story did not finish at Jesus’ birth. There is still another character depicted in the Nativity scene by Thomas Kinkade, the painter of light. Santa is working carefully and skillfully to carve a Magi, a wiseman from the east who would come to recognize and pay homage to the birth of a king. There is only one king being carved, but this one king represents all in the entourage that came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We do not know how many magi came, but tradition suggests three based on the gifts given.
The gospel according to Matthew narrates the account of the Magi. They followed a star and arrived in Jerusalem after Jesus was born. They sought the newborn king in the King’s palace, which certainly challenged Herod the Great’s power and sovereignty. He was so paranoid of protecting his position he would kill relatives if they posed a threat. The prophecy of Micah 5:2-5 said the king would be born in Bethlehem, and so the wise men continued their journey. They again followed the star that moved and stopped over the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus resided.
It is fascinating to investigate the night sky and see the stars, the milky way, new star clusters developing while viewing others that may be dying. Sailors would plot their journey by the stars, but for the Magi, a star moved and guided them to a specific location. God in his magnificence, ordered the heavenly event and the men prepared and journeyed to find the king. When they arrived at the house, they entered in and ‘fell to the ground and worshipped’ the child and presented to Him the treasures they brought, Matthew 2:11.
In Thomas Kinkade’s ‘The Meaning of Christmas’ there is a painting of a large house over the mantle. The little stable does not compare, nor would the house that Jesus was in when the Magi visited. Jesus is without a permanent residence yet has promised to prepare a room for his disciples down through the generations. John 14:2-3 states, ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.’ But first we must accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and allow Him to be Lord of our lives from this time on. Revelation 3:19-20 tells us how, ‘Those I love, I rebuke, and discipline therefore be earnest and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with Me.’
Today will we fall to the ground and worship our Lord like the Magi? Will we give Jesus our treasures? Will we give Him a place to reside and rule in our lives? Will we listen to the Lord and follow the signs He provides? The true meaning of Christmas is Christ becoming our Lord, receiving salvation and journeying in life with Him for all time. Open the door, even the locked ones and enjoy the journey with Christ.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing