| December 26th - Heaven Whispers of Wisdom "Now when Jesus was born... there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2: 1,2) Who were these three wise guys and what were they up to? Watching the stars?! Where is there record of that elsewhere in the Bible? Who were these mystery men appearing at the Messiah's birth and what was the source of their knowledge? I believe when and where the Bible is vague or silent it is because God wants it to be. Much time has been spent over questions such as who did Adam and Eve's sons marry if they were the first man and woman. Suffice it to say, that there are mysteries in life which God holds the answers to. And He reveals them to whomsoever He will. Here's a hint though: "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes." (Matthew 11:25) God whispers his secrets to the humble and the tenderhearted. He bypasses the proud and heady, the arrogant and the so-called learned. Although obviously there is a wisdom which He rewards. Who were these wise and mysterious easterners bearing gifts for the Christ child? Perhaps God leaves that open for our imaginations to ponder. I believe He wants us to know through this story that there are others in far and distant lands to whom He has revealed these secrets of the universe to. I will give you another hint though (just to whet your appetite for study): The Bible says in Psalms 19 that the heavens declare the glory of God! December 25th - Wise Men Still Seek Him Once there was a time in my life that though having been taught about Christianity in some form or fashion I had no idea what it was all about. I remember being at a traffic light staring at a bumper sticker on the car in front of me which read very simply, "Wise Men Still Seek Him" and I was clueless. I had no idea what it meant. What wise men? Him who? You see, even though I had grown up with Nativity scenes, stories from the Bible, and singing the words to Christmas Carolls, the true meaning of it all went right over my head. Somehow I was blinded to God's message of "Peace on earth, Good Will toward men". How could this be so? "Therefore they could not believe, because as Isaiah said, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." (John 12: 39,40) If there be a spark of belief in your heart, if there is a desire to seek God, to respond to His invitation to come to know Him better, you can be sure it is the result of His opening your eyes, and not your self effort. God desires for you to know Him and He is the one who induces that hunger in your heart. When first coming to Christ, I thought that it was I who had finally found God, but upon further examination of the scriptures I realize the vanity of such a belief and that it was God's love reaching out to me and opening my eyes to His glory and goodness that brought about my conversion. Now, I have God given-understanding when I sing the words: "God rest ye merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day, To save us all from satan's power when we were gone astray..." There is a wisdom of this world which only leads us astray, but the wisdom that comes from God is the way to Life. The efforts of man are futile unless they be guided by God. The three wise men who came in search of Christ had knowledge enough to search the stars and knew when His star appeared, thus signifying the birth of the Messiah. But God illuminated their hearts with wisdom enough to know that He was God incarnate and worth seeking out. Wise men still seek Him. |