January 2024
Wise Men Still Seek Him.
We are walking into the new year with all its glitz and celebration. The world is finished with Christmas and is in full swing and loading up for Valentine’s Day. We, the church, sometimes fall in line with the world. We celebrated Christmas day and now we are done. The Christmas “Christ Mass” season is twelve days and on the last we celebrate Epiphany. It is often missed and not celebrated. On this day the Wisemen followed the star in the sky to Bethlehem.
The Visit of the Wise Men
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
They have read the Holy Scriptures and believe. They came from afar to worship the promised King. My prayer for this Epiphany and new year is that we also continue to come to the Lord’s house of worship and encourage others also to do the same.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers,c since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Let us be wise in the Lord God our Father, faithful in Christ’s love and walk in the grace of the Holy Spirit all the days of our life. God bless you this Christmas season and all the seasons that His loving grace gives us.
Blessed New Year!
Pastor Quick
