December 16
2017
Advent 2017 Week 3- The Cost of Christmas: The Price
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
Happy Sunday!
Happy Advent Week 3!
How was your week?
Did you find some time to explore the mystery
And the expansiveness of the gift of Christmas
Midst the hustle and bustle?
This week we are going to look more closely at 3 individuals
Who took the time
To meet the mystery of the gift!
Matthew 1:1-2 tells us that wise men from the East made their way to Jerusalem, following the sign of the star, to see the newborn baby, who was to be the King of the Jews.
Who were these wise men? Another word that is often used for wise men is Magi. Magi were wise and learned men. Men often relied on by Kings of the time to interpret omens, signs and stars. Part of the cost of Christmas to these wise men was related to the time they had invested ahead of time, in their training. Probably trained from a young age, similar to Daniel and his companions in the Old Testament. Perhaps among the best and the brightest of their peers. They didn’t just wake up one morning, see a star and know it was special. They trained and practiced their trade,examined the stars, and learned prophecy for some time in order to recognize a new star in the night sky and its significance in heralding the arrival of the new King.
We are also told they came from the East, which is a pretty general statement, but historically we understand that they traveled some distance, following this star. Now travel in those days was not an easy undertaking. It involved much work and planning. No booking on Expedia for a quick flight or hotel. It meant much preparation, cost and long weary days ahead. Add to the fact that they didn’t necessarily know exactly where the star was leading – they followed in faith. Another cost to the wise men was the time they invested, in following the stars for years to recognize the new star and in the time that they took to travel to find this new King and worship Him.
And this is the part I love!
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
They didn’t just come to see, to look, they came prepared to worship this Baby. These wise men brought treasures; treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The final cost to them was one of worship. Worship in the gifts they laid before Him -themselves and their treasures.
Week 1 we talked about Elizabeth and Zacharius and that the cost of Christmas to them was in the preparation. Week 2, we discovered that the cost to Mary and Joseph lay in the process. This week I would suggest that in the training, time and treasures, that there was a price to be paid by the wise men.
What is the price of Christmas to you this year?
Not in dollar’s and cents
But in the gifts of worship that you are offering to this Baby
What training have you invested in
What time have you given to others in His Name
What treasures of worship have you laid before Him
Christmas is about more than how many nicely wrapped gifts are under the tree
And how many dollars they represent
The true price of Christmas lies in investment
of things more valuable than dollars
Time,
Relationship
Worship
What do you treasure in your life?
Then that is what you need to lay before the King
A bit of a price
Makes that which is given
Even more valuable
“You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run.”
Augustine of Hippo