2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – Monday,
6 January 2014 - "They Saw the Child" Read Matthew 2:9 9 When they
had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that
they had seen at its rising,[a] until it stopped over the place where the child
was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped,[b] they were overwhelmed with
joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and
they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they
offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned
in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another
road.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 2:9 Or in the East
b. Matthew 2:10 Gk saw the star. TEXT: And behold, the star that
they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the
place where the Child was (see Matthew 2:9).
Having learned the promised King is in Bethlehem, the wise men leave
Herod's palace and there in the sky is the star which led them here. The
reassuring sight fills them with overwhelming joy. It goes before them until it
rests over the place where Jesus is. In the months since Jesus' birth, Joseph
and Mary have left the manger in the animal shelter and found a house in which
to live.
The wise men enter this house and see Jesus with His mother
Mary. These important government officials come forward, fall down at Jesus'
feet, and worship Him. It may seem strange for such prominent, wealthy, wise
people to bow down before a child, but all of them know this is no mere child.
This is the King of kings.
We also know who this Child is. He is the promised Savior, the
Life and Light of the World, the Eternal Son of God, and the Word made flesh.
With the wise men we bow down and worship Him. And we take of the treasures God
has given us to share His Name so more people may know the peace He won by His
suffering, death and resurrection.
Coming soon, we will begin a Lenten journey with Jesus Christ.
We will watch David's Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will lift
the cross to His shoulders and battle to save us from all our enemies and win
eternal peace for all.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus
Christ, thank You for humbling Yourself to be born among us. Bless us as we
continue to study Your Word and grow in trust and understanding, until we see
You face to face like the wise men did. It is in Your Name we pray. Amen.
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Mail:
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141 United States
Telephone: (800)876-9880
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