"The Great Christmas Question"

 

“The Great Christmas Question”

 

(This concludes the series on the most important questions surrounding the three great Christian celebrations: “The Great Resurrection Question” {“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”—Luke 24:5}, “The Great Thanksgiving Question” {“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?”—Psalm 116:12} and now “The Great Christmas Question” {“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”—Matthew 2:2}.)

Christmas can be a perplexing time of year. We wonder where we’ll spend the day (or several days), what we’ll buy for whom, what will be on the dinner menu and how we’ll pay for all this. Lost in the shuffle is the One whose birth we celebrate. Where is He? And even more importantly, who is He?

About 12-18 months after Jesus’ birth Magi came to Jerusalem and inquired into the whereabouts of “…the one who has been born king of the Jews.” (Matthew 2:2). They had journeyed from the east, possible Persia, after seeing a strange star and following it. Apparently this was news to King Herod and, fearing a potential rival, he sought to locate and kill this pretender. The Magi followed the star to the house where Jesus was and worshipped Him with valuable gifts. They then returned to their homeland but Scripture is silent concerning whether or not they truly recognized Him as God come in the flesh.

It’s interesting to note that it was a pagan king and a group of (as some scholars believe) astrologers who actually sought this child. The religious leaders cited the prophecy of the place of His birth (Micah 5:2) but there’s no record of their looking for Him there or anyplace else.

So where is Jesus today? He’s been ousted from governments, schools, the day that calls attention to His birth and even some churches and His followers have been subject to ridicule as He said would happen (“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”—John 15:18). But He left us with the Holy Spirit “…to be with us forever….” (John 14:16)—not just with us but in us (John 14:17). And this gives us the confidence that “…I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, emphasis added). Shortly after speaking these words, “…he was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19) where He “…makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34).

Where is Jesus in your Christmas?

 

Grace, Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Jim McMillan