We are now on our 7th month of clerkship, having overcome majority of our major rotations (OB, Pedia, IM); and being in our base hospital this December, on a benign rotation, and be back home again feels like I'm being rewarded for the months of hardwork and toxicity..hehe. This, in itself, is already a Christmas gift I am very grateful for, Jesus.
I also got to attend church last Sunday..hooray for pre-off!..so it really feels like I've been receiving gifts since December 1st. As the Lord allows it, I'll be a different kind of "busy" this December, because I can finally attend parties and events, which I've been missing since clerkship started.
I have missed on a lot of things and have also missed doing a lot of things, journaling being one of them. I'm still able to do it by God's grace, albeit irregularly and inconsistently, but thank you Lord for continuously giving me opportunities to be filled despite missing on church, cell group and accountability meetings.
Last Sunday was different though, as I got to hear a sermon on the story of the Magi once again (it was my most memorable Christmas message from last year as well), but from a different perspective. I looked at my journal and I didn't have any entry on it so I wanted to spend this rare free time processing my thoughts so I could go back on it later on to be reminded and encouraged.
Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12
The Magi Visit the Messiah
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] 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 when it rose 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 Messiah 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 shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”
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 search carefully 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 when it rose 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, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Source: www.biblegateway.comOther bible translations use "wise men" to describe the Magi, but never as kings. It did not also say that there were 3 of them, just 3 kinds of gifts; and they didn't have names, but that their offering of worship became a part of history means that what they did honored the Lord.
They were not Jews, but they came all the way from the east to come worship Jesus, with the star as their sign and guide, from which we can imply that they have been waiting for this to happen. It has been speculated that this is because of the prophecy and teachings of Daniel, who was once a leader of the Magi, which has been passed on to the succeeding generations of wise men.
I am not adept with historical accounts, so I'm gonna focus on the insights, as I remember them from the sermons I've heard.
On the perspective focusing on Jesus, we see Jesus as the born King worthy to be worshipped and honored, not just by the Jews or the Israelites, but also of the Gentiles. He is King of all. He is the promised shepherd and ruler from Bethlehem and he deserves the best that we have to offer. The question that caught me was, do I, like the Magi, experience exceedingly great joy, each time I remember the birth of Jesus?
This now brings me to the perspective focusing on the Magi - wise men, rich and great men in their own right, who sacrificed their comforts and traveled far and wide to bow down, worship and bring gifts to Jesus. They were following a star, which isn't really a secure and reliable compass by today's standards (at a time when we have GPS but still doubt it), but because they believed that it would lead them to Jesus, they pursued it with great joy. They also brought the best gifts they could bring. And when they were told to go by another route, they obeyed, sacrificing their own safety in obedience to God.
I cried at the question - "What do I bring at the feet of Jesus, to worship and honor Him?" Do I bring my best? Am I obedient and fully yielded to Him? Is He pleased with my offering?
Your word in Psalm 51:16-17 says...
16 For you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
I long to worship and honor you Lord Jesus, for you are worthy, and you deserve all our praise. Help me worship you with all I have and all I am. I want to offer my utmost for His highest, my best for His glory. This is the desire of my heart.
Also, fill my heart with joy as I remember who You are. You are Jesus, Son of the living God, our Lord and Savior, our bondage breaker, and it is because of your sacrifice and victory on the cross that I am here, free to live and to love, and to celebrate your goodness and greatness in my life. And always, I can say in my heart, it was indeed, a merry Christmas.
