Post by Woody Williams on Jan 6, 2006 8:56:09 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 2:1-12
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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is
the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.' When King Herod
heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and
calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he
inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, 'In
Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel." '
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the
exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child; and when
you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him
homage.' When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead
of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it
stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the
star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the
house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down
and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they
offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own
country by another road.
Devotional
----------
Herod thought he was a wise man, maybe he was in the political sense.
Wisdom in that sense is being cunning. Herod knew how to use people
to his advantage. He does it by lying and pretending to operate from
an ethical base. The Little One, born in Bethlehem under the star is
also wise, but in a different sense. He brought the wisdom of God
that would be put to work to serve others and save them from
injustice and bondage. Whose wisdom do you seek to guide your
decisions and your life?
Prayer
-----------------
Give me faith and courage to follow the wisdom of Christ, O Lord.
Amen
----------
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is
the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.' When King Herod
heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and
calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he
inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, 'In
Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
"And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel." '
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the
exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child; and when
you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him
homage.' When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead
of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it
stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the
star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the
house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down
and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they
offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own
country by another road.
Devotional
----------
Herod thought he was a wise man, maybe he was in the political sense.
Wisdom in that sense is being cunning. Herod knew how to use people
to his advantage. He does it by lying and pretending to operate from
an ethical base. The Little One, born in Bethlehem under the star is
also wise, but in a different sense. He brought the wisdom of God
that would be put to work to serve others and save them from
injustice and bondage. Whose wisdom do you seek to guide your
decisions and your life?
Prayer
-----------------
Give me faith and courage to follow the wisdom of Christ, O Lord.
Amen