Sparks from the Gospel Anvil
Matthew 2:1-2
Have you ever heard the popular English lullaby written by Jane Taylor that states these lines, “Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky”?
Well for our thoughts, I want to think about the visit of the Magi or wise men, as we call them. Invariably in our Christmas plays we show both the shepherds and the wise men present at our Lord’s birth, but the time frame and events here in Matthew 2 are quite different from those in Luke 2.
In Luke Jesus is a newborn Baby, but here in Matthew He is called a young Child. In Luke shepherds come from nearby to see Him but in Matthew, wise men come from the East to see Him. In Luke Jesus is lying in a manger, but in Matthew He is in a house. In Luke both Joseph and Mary are present but in Matthew, Joseph is noticeably absent. In Luke an angel directs the shepherds to Jesus, but in Matthew the wise men are directed to Jesus by the scribes searching the scriptures and a guiding star.
Yes, it was through the guidance of this star that brought these men (and yet scripture only tells of three gifts, but not how many travelled in this caravan); to our Lord. Some have speculated that there was something supernatural about the star, but how many of us really “wonder” at creation? When was the last time you just took a moment and stopped and observed the nature that surrounds you. When was the last time you heard God’s angels wrapped in feathers (the birds) singing before the dawning of the new day. When was the last time you saw God take a rainbow and drape it over the shoulders of a shivering storm? When was the last time you drove behind Mellor Park and saw the trees, the forest and saw what God can do with nature! Why if God can do these things with nature, think about what He can do with you, if you will only surrender your heart to Him!
This star was a part of God’s creation and showed the wise men which direction they needed to go in to find Jesus Christ. Today, we have the scripture, nature and God’s ministers to show that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life. It was through their determination that they found the Lord and presented unto Him gifts, of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is the noblest of metals – no single acid can destroy it and it will not rust away. It is so heavy and incorruptible that no one can successfully imitate it. It is a metal of beauty and has even been woven into fabrics since Biblical times. Its ductility or ability to be shaped into fine works of art exceeds that of all other metals. A single grain of fine gold can be drawn out into a wire 1/1000’s of an inch in diameter, to the length of one mile or 5,280 feet. Gold is known for its purity. What a fitting gift for the One who is absolutely pure, who was tempted in all points like as we are and yet without sin!
Frankincense, or incense, was used in worship and made from an expensive and elaborate formula, containing 16 different ingredients. Only priests were allowed to concoct it and the chief ingredient was frankincense itself. Frankincense was a resin from a tree that grew in Arabia and Ethiopia. The tree was thought to be so holy and sacred that only those who lived pure lives were allowed to approach it. The resin was collected by cutting into the tree and allowing the sap to ooze out. It was then allowed to harden for about three months and collected in lumps which, when ignited, burned giving off a bright white flame and a sweet smelling fragrance.
Lastly, myrrh, is a shrub related to Frankincense. The word, “Myrrah” comes from the Hebrew word, “mar, meaning “bitter.” Its resin also gives off a sweet smelling aroma. It was primarily in preparing bodies for burial. So, in saying all of this, “If we are going to give God something, let’s give Him our best. After all, God gave His best for us (reference Romans 8:32).
(Lieutenant Charles Smith is commanding officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado).
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Ancient Words—Christmas Miracles, Wonders and Signs
A few OT quotes display the importance of remembering and believing in miracles: 1 Chron 16.12—"Remember the wonders he (God) has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” Job 5.9—“He (God) performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” Psalm 77.11—“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77.14—“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” These instructions were and are not just for the people of long ago; they are just as relevant today as they were back when. Christmas, while not a bible term, cannot be spelled or said without “Christ”. Christmas is about great bible wonders and miracles that point to the coming of Messiah, Immanuel. All of the miracles and wonders that surround Christmas time are to be marveled at with wonder and awe for the God of this universe has installed his Son and our King on his holy hill. The events may not be understood completely but to dismiss the relevancy of the miracles which escort to earth God’s only begotten Son is to dilute Christmas of its power and peace that was intended on Christmas Day. Remember His wonders with an open heart, believe with unshakeable faith in the greatest gift ever given to man! Jesus is always and forever the reason for the season of Christmas. The power of his birth is seen throughout the world every Christmas Day. For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3.16).
God knows that man believing in miracles leads man to repent, to change, to turn. Miracles are not within man’s grasp to perform so he, in turn looks up and honors the One who performs supernatural events. God’s gets our attention with miracles but only if we believe. Jesus spoke to several towns of his day for their lack of faith in his miracles: Matthew 11.23—“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.” Luke 10.13—“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.”
Peters words should ring true every day and especially on Christmas Day: Acts 2.22—“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Jesus came into Bethlehem’s manger thru miracles and wonders and signs. After his baptism in the Jordan, Jesus lived and taught in Judea for three years with miracles and wonders and signs. His Death, burial, resurrection, and ascension ---filled with miracles and wonders and signs. His last words of prophecy to man on earth---filled with miracles, wonders and signs.
Beautiful Christmas carols have been penned for 200 years that preserve the wonder an awe of this special day. The carols written by James Montgomery and John Dwight, both in the 1800’s, are shared with you today : Angels from the realms of Glory—“Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Shepherds in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light. Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; seek the great Desire of Nations, ye have seen his natal star. Saints before the alter bending, watching long in hope and fear; suddenly the Lord descending, in his temple shall appear. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King.” O Holy Night—(verse 2) “Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by his cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, in all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before him lowly bend! Behold your king, before him lowly bend!”
(Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible).