Today’s portion of the Christmas Story is one filled with wonder as we consider our All Wise God. Herod was an evil, jealous king who would do anything to protect his kingship.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. Matthew 2:1-9
Herod did not know of Jesus’ birth. Since the Magi had traveled from the east starting when they saw the Bethlehem Star in the sky when Jesus was born, their arrival could have been 1-2 years after Jesus’ birth. It would have taken considerable time to come from the east, perhaps Persia. It would have been customary to come to the current king to inquire of this new baby king-where he was. They probably thought Herod, the current king, would surely know where this baby was, however, He did not. So they continued their journey….. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with 
Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. The gifts they brought were fitting for a king: gold, incense and myrrh. The myrrh was presented to Jesus at this birth and was also given to him at the crucifixion as it was a pain reliever. Jesus refused to dull his pain by taking any (Mark 15:23). Then the disciples used a mixture of spices and myrrh to prepare His body for burial (John 19:39). The wise men had followed the star for hundreds of miles, knew that God was directing them towards the new king and undoubtedly realized the greed and jealousy that Herod possessed. Herod had listened to them but had not been eager to come with them even the short distance to Bethlehem. He let them do the finding so then he could take care of this new rival king. So…when God warned, they listened and acted. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
God is wise. He is not simply all-knowing. He uses his knowledge to do exactly what is right. God’s Word is full of His wisdom. Both His plan of redemption which sent Jesus and His creation are perfectly wise. All wisdom comes form God. Job 12:13 ““To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” These traveling Magi or wise men came seeking the Savior. God in His wisdom led them to come at just the right time and to the exact place He had chosen. God protected both the men and Jesus’ family from evil Herod who He knew would seek to kill the babe. The wise men were truly wise as they listened to God.
What about you? Do you seek to know God and be filled with His wisdom that is in His Word? Do you have listening hears to hear God’s wisdom when He gives it to you in prayer or through His Word? Through faith in Jesus we can know God and understand the wise God we serve. Ephesians 1:7-8 In him(Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished 
on us. With all wisdom and understanding, Knowing Jesus opens up the wisdom of God to believers so we can read His Word with understanding, seek to know Him better and live a life filled with godly wisdom. Thank you Jesus.
Linda
Luke 2:15-20 “
God showed the world their Savior and proclaimed his work on earth even at this humble beginning. God reached down and rescued sinners from the penalty of death and hell that our sin deserves. We cannot save ourselves from sin because we are dead in our sin. God had a plan from eternity past to save His children fully from sin- from the penalty, power and presence of sin. He sent His Son to live the perfect life we cannot live and die in our place for our sin. Savior Jesus took all the punishment for our sin and saves us completely. Romans 5:8 reminds us of God’s motivation for sending His Son and our true condition, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I love the explanation of why and how God did what He did in Titus 3:4-7
doing about the Savior who is Christ the Lord? Am I telling others of His wonderful love, salvation, hope and eternal life? If not, why not? Christ is the reason for this season as His is the message of Hope for all mankind. Spread the word!
going. How can we know the way?” Jesus’ answer is profound and complete. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 He went on to tell Thomas and the others how He and the Father were one and if they had seen Him then they also had see God the Father and knew Him to be true.
Alone, Grace Alone and Glory to God Alone. Our faith in Jesus rests on His Word, His person and His Work on the Cross on our behalf. Thank you Jesus.
Job 19:25-26 “
within us. This is my prayer for you today from Ephesians 3:17-20 “
Light When we say the word light, many things come to mind- glowing illumination, brightness, no more darkness, hope, direction, guidance….. In Psalm 27 
Knowing God is light and will provide direction so we can see how to proceed, David admonishes us to wait for the Lord. I know, easier said than done, but it is a good reminder that our timetable for things is not the Lord’s. In His light we can walk with confidence and trust His leading as we wait for His perfect timing.
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? 
riches available to me in Christ. Once we grasp this concept of riches in Christ, a whole new world is opened to us. As Jesus said, in Matthew 17:20, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. 
is a wonderful promise from God. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God knows what we need and promises to supply all our needs. When I am stressing over money, relationships or personal suffering, I take great comfort in knowing Jesus has my back and will provide all that I need whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual. He is there with me and knows my needs before even I do. In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul expands the idea as he speaks to the Colossains. “
that they may have the full riches of complete understanding
measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” 
indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us to live in and for His kingdom day by day. 
