When Wise Men Come to Bethlehem

by Lynn Mosher
(Louisville, KY)

All the prophecies converged in one moment in time, for “the fullness of the time had come.” (Gal. 4:4 NKJV) So, a young, pregnant girl named Mary and her espoused, young man named Joseph left their home in Nazareth to travel to the homeland of their forefathers in Bethlehem that they might be enrolled according to their families for taxation.

Once in Bethlehem, they searched for a place to rest, for the baby was about to be born. In their search, all that could be found was an animal shelter, for there was no room for them in the inn.

As a hush fell on the earth in the wee hours of darkness, the cries of a newborn broke the gentle silence, followed by wondrous songs of praise, offered by a host of angels filling the night air with the glory of God. In those dark hours, Christ came.

In that humble place, to the gentle sounds of the lowing of the cattle and the bleating of the sheep, Mary gave birth to the Saviour of the world. Swaddling Him lovingly, she placed Him in a trough, and there, the miracle of the manger took place.

The empty manger, the vessel cradling the tiny body of mankind’s salvation, became full - full of love, full of expectation, full of holiness, and full of humanity. It was an earthly visitation of the heavenly realm.

A divinely appointed star blazed triumphantly in the eastern sky, proclaiming, “This is the way to the Christ-child.” Its brilliance appeared even in the distant land of the Orient. Men, wise in astrology and the prophecies, set out seeking the One upon Whom the star shone, the newborn King.

In time, the star led the wise men right to the King’s front door. They came in expectation and great joy. “And when they had 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 gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matt. 2:11 NKJV)

When the wise men came to Bethlehem, they came bearing gifts, first out of their hearts’ fullness, for they fell down to worship the Christ-child. Then, out of their treasure bags of precious things, those gifts of sacrifice, they gave.

They gave gold, one of the purest and most valuable of all metals. It serves to remind us of that which is of genuine worth and value, as it was lavishly used to cover the articles of the temple and the temple itself. It reminds us, too, of the pure worth and value of Christ, and that He fashions our hearts into the pure gold for His temple, the home of His holiness and pureness.

When the wise men came to Bethlehem, they brought frankincense, which was a sweet, aromatic perfume, burned as incense, and, among other things, was an ingredient in the anointing oil.

It serves to show us the precious Holy Spirit, anointing us to be in the presence of the Father, as the incense mingles with the sweet-smelling sacrifice of prayer, rising to the throne room and lingering at the Father’s feet.

When the wise men came to Bethlehem, they brought myrrh, a fragrant, costly perfume, used in purification rites and for cleansing, also as an ingredient in the anointing oil, and used for preservation in death.

It represents the costly perfume of Christ as His blood purifies and cleanses us, preserving us in death.

Out of love, God gave. Out of love, Christ came. Out of love, the wise men came and gave.

Do you bring the Christ-child the sacrificial gifts out of your heart’s treasury? What fills your treasure bag? The pure gold of holiness? Frankincense, as the costly fragrance of continual prayer? And myrrh, for the cleansing of your soul and its preservation in death?

Do you offer Him your heart as His manger, as the vessel of His resting place? Or is it already full of jealousy, envy, hatred, unforgiveness, self-pity, lust, anger, or prejudice? Is there any room left for Him to come and “lay down His sweet head”? Have you said, “Sorry, there is no room for You in this inn”?

He pleads, “But where will I be born; where will I find My resting place? Your manger is full, full of unforgiveness, full of your own self. I see no room for Me. I’ve been turned away from inn after inn; where do you wish Me to go?”

The wise men found Bethlehem and Bethlehem found its way into their hearts.

Are you wise? Have you come to Bethlehem and knelt at the manger of the Christ-child? The only way you will find Bethlehem is when you remember to worship the Christ Who loved you so much that He came in a tiny human form.

Where will Bethlehem find you? In the car sitting in snarling traffic, snarling back at it? On the way to Grandma’s house, Aunt Sophie’s, or Mom and Dad’s? On a plane, or a bus? Or perhaps at the mall, rushing to find that last minute gift? Will it really find you there?

Does it come rolling in as with chariot wheels rumbling? Or does it come silently, as with a gentle whisper? Does it come in a season, or in a moment, as in the twinkling of an eye? Will it come and leave again, finding you not?

Wise men give Christ room to dwell. Will you be a “wise man” this year? Will you visit Bethlehem this Christmas? Will its Visitor visit you? Will your inn have room for Him? Or will Bethlehem come and you will have missed it?

Make room for the Christ-child; make room for the Christ-Man. Give Him the lodging place He deserves. Be as the wise men when they came to Bethlehem: worshiping on bended knee, grateful, and bringing gifts.

“O come all ye faithful…O come ye to Bethlehem…Come and behold Him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him…Christ the Lord!”

When wise, men come to Bethlehem!

I pray abundant blessings for you and your family, for a Christmas filled with the presence of the Christ-child and the Christ-Man. May you find Bethlehem and may it find you.