JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

The wise lived a very long way off, in the east, in Arabia, perhaps, or some other distant country. They were very learned, and understood many things; they were very knowledgeable.
These wise men knew something of Christ, and they wanted to know more. They had heard about Jesus; they were expecting His coming, and they wished to see Him. But how could they tell where to find Him? God knew all their thoughts and wishes; and He led them, in a wonderful way, to Jesus. They saw a star in the sky; not a common star, such as they saw every night; but one quite new to them, unlike any they had ever looked at before. Perhaps these wise men understood a great deal about the stars, and knew many of their names, and could find out the constellations in the sky.

Astronomy teaches these things and the wise men, no doubt, understood astronomy. But they had no name for this new star; it belonged to no constellation; and as they looked at it, they wondered why it was there, and how it came. Astronomy could not tell them, but God could; and He made them understand, that He Himself had put it there, to tell them that Christ was come, and to lead them to the place where He was. When the wise men knew this, they were very glad, and determined to go directly to Jerusalem and worship Jesus. So they took some of the precious things of their country (gold, and frankincense, and myrrh), to present to Jesus, and set off on their long journey. The star went before them, moving through the sky; and the wise men kept their eyes upon it, and it led them the right way to Jerusalem. The men knew then, that Jesus was not far off; so they went to some of the people living in Jerusalem, and asked, "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."

Was Jesus a king? Yes; He was then, and He is now, "King of kings, and Lord of lords;" but His kingdom was "not of this world." He came to reign in the hearts of His people, and to make them obedient to His will.

Herod, king of Judea, soon heard of the wise men, and what they had said; and he was troubled, and many of his people were troubled also. Why were they not glad to hear of Jesus? Did they not wish to see Him? No; Herod was afraid that this "King of the Jews" was come to take away his kingdom, and to reign in his place; for he did not understand that the kingdom of Jesus was "not of this world." So Herod called the priests, and the scribes, or writers of the law, and asked them where Christ must be born. How could they know? They had read the prophets; and there they had learnt that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. So they told this to Herod. Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them a great many questions about the star, and the time when they first saw it. They answered his questions; and then he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go, and seek there for the young child; and when you have found him, come back, and tell me; for I wish to go and worship Him also." This was only a false pretence of Herod. He did not wish to worship Jesus. He wanted to know where He was, that he might send and kill Him.

The wise men went away from Herod; and the star still moved before them, and led them to Bethlehem, and, at last, "stood over where the young child was." Then the wise men rejoiced with very great joy; and went into the house, and "saw the young child, and Mary his mother; and fell down and worshipped him, and presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

We need not take a long journey to come to Him; for He is near us wherever we are. He is God; and God, we know, is everywhere. And we do not want a star to lead us to Jesus. His word and His Spirit will lead us to Him, if we ask to be led. We are to come to Jesus in faith and prayer. We cannot see Him with our eyes, but we can believe in Him and love Him with our hearts; and He will hear our prayers, as He heard the prayers of the wise men; and bless us, as Heblessed them. Must we bring gifts to present to Jesus? Not such gifts as the wise men brought; He does not ask for them. But He does ask us for something. He says, "Give me thy heart." He wants all our love-- all our affections; all we are, and all we have.

This christmas, let our gift be that of surrendering our hearts to God and keep Him ever so near; in her thoughts and deeds. God bless you abundantly.