Three Wise Men

Matthew 2

Visitors from the East

   Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him.”

 ³ King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴ He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
 ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
 ⁶ ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
      are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
   for a Ruler will come from you
      who will be the Shepherd for My people Israel.'”
 ⁷ Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸ Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship Him, too!”
 ⁹ After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
 ¹² When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

On our walks lately, I have been telling the boys the story of Christmas over and over again. I combine the Bible teachings from Luke 2 and Matthew 2. Joshua LOVES the part about the wise men and Herod who tries to kill the babies, but Jesus is protected by God. If I leave it out (after going through the long story of the census and the shepherds, etc.) he'll say "and now the wise men and King Herod!" Then I tell them how important it is to listen to God, to know the signs and follow where He leads, and how we are to bow down and worship and give what we have to our Lord.

How I hope to raise up three little wise men for God. How I pray that they will trust God, know His Word, watch for signs from Him, be lead by Him (even listening as He speaks in their dreams) like these magi.

In 1 Kings 3:10, it says that the Lord was pleased when Solomon asked Him for wisdom. How I pray that same prayer over my boys - give them wise and discerning hearts. Let them combine "good judgment" with knowledge, wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 8:12). 

• "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.Praise him forever!" Psalm 111:10
• "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6
• "For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold." Proverbs 3:14
• "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

Lord, I thank you for these three little boys. Please give them wisdom as a precious gift from You. Lead them all the days of their lives. Thank You, Father, for being the giver of all good gifts!