A Christmas Narrative Part 5

This is the final part of the narrative. As I sit looking at my Christmas tree and the gift that sit underneath, I know they are tokens of love from my family to one another. It's fitting this part of the story ends with the Maji, those wisest of men, who saw fit to follow the clues to an ancient prophesy. Their gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh, worth a lot more money than that family who would be receiving it had. A symbol of their honor to this newborn King and a foreshadowing. In that same manner we give gifts to one another out of honor and love, maybe appreciation or a job well-done. I find it to be a beautiful tradition even though most of us have been running in the hustle and bustle since the turkey was finished back in November. I imagine these Maji had that same sense of urgency. They didn't want to miss out on something so important. Here is the interpretation of my story.

The Maji and Herod (Matthew 2:1-12)

Now in that time King Herod reigned. And in the land of Parthia, the wisest of men in their land – Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar spotted a prophesy that aligned with movement in the stars suggesting this prophesy would be coming true soon. They did not want to miss this. These 3 wisest of men, Maji, wanted to witness this prophesy come true. They would bring their cooks, servants, maybe some of their counsel and of course soldiers to protect them and their precious cargo. They would travel over many miles to see this Savior the prophesies had foretold. The star had rose and they knew the direction they would have to go. It seemed to be near Jerusalem, possibly Bethlehem.

Their journey would bring them into Jerusalem many months later. And they would not find this child there but maybe if they asked around, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Luke 2:2 NIV). When King Herod heard these Wise Men interested in a prophesy, a newly born child and possibly a King, he became enraged. Why would they be calling a child, “King”? The Jews wanted no King, whose King was he to be? Would this child try to take the kingdom from him, from his heirs? No one but his bloodline would sit on this throne. Herod had to find out what was going on, so he plotted to find this boy king and put an end to his reign before it even begins. So, Herod called on the Maji in secret to find out all they knew about this star and where this child could be. “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”” (Matthew 2:7-8 NIV). Herod’s heart was not seeking to honor this child but to get rid of the competition and the Maji could tell.

The Maji and their attendants would continue the journey to Bethlehem, following the star that seemed to be set over the little town. They came to a modest house and could see a family dwelling within, “they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 NIV. When they were done paying homage to the Messiah child, they would go by another way so they would not have to report to Herod what they found. Herod’s jealousy would grow when the Maji did not return, and he would lash out on the Jewish people but not before Mary, Jospeh and the child would escape to Egypt, where He would grow. This child would later be called Master, Lord, and Savior. He would be a miracle worker, a teacher, and a criminal. He would be known as Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. He would be the scape goat and a sacrifice for the world who needs Him most. And that is why we celebrate His birth.

This concludes my Christmas Narrative and I hope you enjoyed the storytelling. I wanted to end it with the Maji because just as they gave gifts to my King, we will be doing the same. But it really isn't about the gifts although I think we spend a lot of time and effort in searching. Christmas is about the ultimate gift. A baby, who was born to be the perfect sacrifice for an imperfect human like myself.

Jesus is the best gift I could have ever received and if you haven't received Him as your Savior yet but feel you want to, then there is no better time than Christmas. All you have to do is tell Him you need Him to take over in your life, that you are sorry for the way you've done life on your own and you need Him to help you. Jesus will not leave you; He will love you and lead you through it all. Making you part of His family - Welcome Home.

Merry Christmas and

Warrior On!