Christmas Week – Wednesday

We have also a more sure Word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.

– II Peter 1:19.

In the East, for centuries, there had been a cast of learned men devoted to the sciences. In times past the Prophet Daniel had been a leader among such people. They knew to expect the coming of Christ, the “King of the Jews.” When the time had come, God caused the Magi to see a special star, which let them know that Christ had been born. – Hence we learn from Matthew 2:1-12 that Wise Men (Magi) came from the East to Jerusalem, saying: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him.” When Herod the King heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and the scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said to him: “In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet, ‘And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel.'” Then Herod privately called the Wise Men, and inquired of them diligently at what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said: “Go and search diligently for the Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again that I may come and worship Him also.” When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were 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 unto Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. We have something better and more sure than the star which the Wise Men saw. We have the Word of God, which points to Christ and leads us to Christ. Let us look there. Let that be our guiding star.

PRAYER. – Lord God, Heavenly Father, who guidest us through Thy Word, which is the true guiding light, pointing to the Child Jesus, we pray Thee, endue our hearts with Thy Holy Spirit, that we may ever receive that light by faith, make effective use of it, and thereby be led to Jesus, our Savior, and thus into eternal light. Amen.

And bid Thy Word within me

Shine as the fairest star;

Keep sin and all false doctrine

Forever from me far.

Help me confess Thee truly

And with Thy Christendom Here own

Thee King and Savior

And in the world to come.

Hymn 130, 6.