Matthew 2:2
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
Surprise!
This hymn makes us think about nights. So many things can happen in a single night. America went to bed on April 14, 1865, pleased that the long dreadful and brutal war between the states had ended. Unfortunately, the following day news broke out that the Country’s President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. On December 6 of 1941, America slept soundly, knowing that they were not part of the ongoing war between Europe and Asia. They thought they had avoided the war entirely only to wake up to the surprise Japanese attack on pearl harbour. The evenings above give us a brief impact that the events of a single night can have on the entire world population.
Adolphe Adam, a Christian composer, wrote the lyrics of the Christmas carol, “O holy night”. The story of Christ’s birth is such a night that transformed the world. Many nights may have gone unnoticed, but the night the shepherds heard angels singing, the destiny of human beings changed completely. The prophets of Old had prophesied the events that would happen that night independently. The scribes wrote that he would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-5), a star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17) and many other prophecies. Therefore, in one single night, God moved heaven and earth to provide us with a saviour.
A Thrill Of Hope, The World Rejoices
From the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, the world needed saving. After centuries of failed covenants between God and man, Jesus was born on the night that the star rose. The weary world, the sick, poor prisoners could rejoice because there was hope. The gifts that the Wise men brought were not served to Jesus to offer assistance or fulfil a need. They were a sign of honour that every monarch receives when visited by visitors.
The narrative of Christ’s birth shows what we now see as the real spirit of Christmas. People who open their houses and hearts to others in need, not people who close their hearts and homes to a couple in need, but people who gladly give to others in need and assist where they can.
Fall On Your Knees
Jesus didn’t come into the world only to rescue us from eternal damnation. He came so we may live abundantly on the earth, witnessing our salvation at an action in our daily lives and praising Him in the process of loving God, loving one another, and “being holy, because (He) is holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
As we celebrate in our Christmas pageants, let us allow the truth of this text to arouse a desire for Christ Himself. He is our gift from heaven (John 3:16). I welcome you to unwrap the greatest gift you have ever received with reverence and humility as the Magi did. This is the time to make things right with God. If war can change the world overnight, the decision of knowing Christ will change your life too (Proverbs 3:5-6). All He asks of us is to be obedient to His voice.
King James Version (KJV)
“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.”
New International Version (NIV)
“and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.””
New American Bible (NASB)
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“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.'”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Where is the newborn King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in far-off eastern lands and have come to worship him.”