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ADVENT IN PLAIN SIGHT: GOLD-6

By: Steve Negley

Posted: January 7, 2023

Category: Daily Devotional

Matthew 2:2-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east[b] 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[c] 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[
d] my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called for the magi[e] 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 in the east,[f] until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped,[g] they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Christmas season ends on January 6, Epiphany. This is the day that we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men and the gifts that they offered the Christ child. Can I join them in bowing down and offering my treasure to my King? I don’t have any frankincense or myrrh handy, but I do have some gold I might want to offer to His work.

Prayer

Wonderful God, as I end this season of celebrating the birth of my Savior, please accept the gifts that I offer for your work in the world. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.