Week of January 6, 2008, Matthew 2:1-12

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from the Gospel reading of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1 to 12. It is the story of the Magi or wise men from lands far away who recognized the Messiah had been born and they came (how ever many there were is unclear) to worship the Christ Child:
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Heavenly Father, so many supernatural events occurred during the time of Jesus’ birth – an angel appearing to Joseph, angels singing to shepherds proclaiming a birth, dreams that directed people to action, and Joseph being led to take the family to Egypt. Through it all, Father God, Your Son was protected to fulfill the promise to the people that a Savior was born – a Savior that would die for the sins of the world.

Just as You worked in the lives of the people at that time, You continue to work in our lives today – leading and guiding us as we look to You for all things.

Thanks, Jesus, for Your presence in our lives – Emmanuel, God with us, still continuing today. As the Magi came to worship You, let us spent time worshiping You each day. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or a prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May you know that God, Emmanuel, is with us now and always.