Daily Devotion for DECEMBER 7

INTRO

On this day of Infamy, perhaps we should ponder how two countries, who were once bitter enemies (60 years ago), are now allies.

How relationships of hatred can be brought together and made new as a relationship of friends.

This reconciliation took time and something more.

Perhaps the challenge for us is to reflect on how we have been bitter enemies with someone or God; and grace has healed the wounds and reconciled us.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 2: 1 & 2

1 AFTER Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,

AFTER

Thus say Scrooge, “Humbug.” That’s how I feel every Christmas when i remind us that the Wisemen did not appear at the stable on the night of the birth of Jesus. Oh well. I still like the imagery.

BETHLEHEM

a small village south of Jerusalem

Anticipated birth place of the Messiah

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."

John 7:42 others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"

1b during the time of King Herod, MAGI from the east came to Jerusalem

MAGI

Not Kings or wise men, but magi.

Not three (3 gifts), an unknown number.

What is a magi?

Magi is the root for magi(cian). Astrologers? Zoroastrian? Persian?

Even though this event did not take place at the birth of Christ, the imagery is helpful for us today as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

NOTE

This is a story of not Jewish Kings, or Jewish Wisemen, or Jewish Magi traveling long distances to pay respect to Jesus; it’s gentiles, It’s most likely Persians, and they are not part of the faith, they are magi (kind of like new agers, or some other unconventional faith group). These folks were not the first sought out for advice from a Jewish audience.

QUESTION

What lesson can we learn from this moment?

SCRIPTURE TO PONDER

Christ died for the ungodly

Romans 5:6b