The account of the wise men visiting the Christ child is a post-Christmas event that launches the season of Epiphany. It is celebrated on January 6, and the text can be found in Matthew 2:1-12.

Throughout this season, we see the divine nature of Christ manifested in different ways. To the wise men, his unique nature was first manifested by a star. We don’t know exactly what this star was, but it inspired these wise men from the east to follow it. They recognized in its appearance that a new king of the Jews had been born.

According to the Herod’s scribes in Jerusalem, this child would be born in Bethlehem as the prophet Micah had prophesied. When the wise men left Jerusalem, they rejoiced to see that the star has reappeared and would guide them all the way to the newborn child.

Finding the child, the wise men bowed down and worship him. From the miraculous star they knew this child was special. They might not fully understand the incarnation, but God's divine hand and purpose is clearly upon him.

The wise men were gentiles from the east, and in sending them the star, God showed the entire world that this little Jewish child had come for all people. This little child would be king. But as He would say years later to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Indeed, He rules over all creation. This child is worthy of having everyone from all nations bow down and worship him.

Herod had told the wise men to return and tell him where he could find the child. But in a dream, God told them to go home by another way. They had the choice to obey man or obey God. Thankfully, and rightly, they obeyed God.

The wise men should bring us great comfort. Through them, God announced that the long-promised Jewish Messiah came, not just for the Jews, but for you and for me. They can also serve as a reminder of how best to order our lives—to put obedience to God first over all other considerations.

God sent a star to guide the wise men to His Son. God gave us His Word to guide us to His Son. Finding Him in the waters of baptism, in the Word, and in the Sacrament of the Altar, let us also bow down and worship Him.

✝️ Pastor Deming

The full newsletter can be found here:
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