Wise Men From the East

Sunday's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2
Tonight is our fourth and final Advent Sunday.

Kids, has your Dad or Mom read you stories from picture books of the beautifully dressed Wise men or Magi riding on camels weighted down with treasure. Do the images seem to leap off the pages as you see in your mind the amazing sight? Ask your Dad or Mom if you can read this story tonight right out of the Bible. It is found in Matthew's gospel listed above. Here are some beautiful pictures for you to enjoy. Click the one below to make it even bigger.

Searching for the King by CM Dudash

We have read about how God sent angels to Zechariah, Mary and Joseph. Read today about how Caesar ordered the census and in so doing brought Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, so that Jesus, the King and son of David would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, just as the prophet Micah said. We have read about the angel who told the shepherds "The Savior... has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David." In today's reading we read about the star that appeared in the heavens, signaling to the wise men who lived far away that a great king was about to be born. Can you sense a rhythm, orchestrated like a conductor conducting an orchestra as these events taking place simultaneously in each life and everyone coming together to witness of the birth of Jesus the Savior, Immanuel, God with us?
 
God moved in the lives of people who humbly sought Him to bring this about. In today's reading we meet other people who were not so humble. After thousands of years of prophecies of a coming Messiah, news of a new king being born is TROUBLING to Herod and all of Jerusalem. Jesus was God's greatest gift to mankind is seen as a threat to the power of the king. Herod asked the chief priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born. They knew exactly where because of the prophecy that He would be born in Bethlehem. Yet, when all the signs the Jews looked for were fulfilled, many of them missed their Messiah, God's gift to them, because their life on earth was more important to them, than God's eternal Kingdom. This is important for us to think about because we live in a culture that focus' on ourself, getting lots of stuff and feeling important. When the life God has for us is much better and will make us joyful for ever.
 
The Wise Men left and followed the star till it came and stood over where the young child was. They came into the house, saw the child with His mother Mary and fell down and worshiped Him for whom a star was born. When they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold for the KING OF KINGS, frankincense for the Priest of Priests and myrrh for the sacrifice. Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod and they left another way.

Oh let us seek Him and worship Him in joyous adoration!

Order Beautiful Michael Dudash print Searching for the King