When He Was Born

” “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2

It does not matter where you stand, there is a view of something grander in the distance.

There is beauty near and beauty far.

There is beauty in the great in-between.

I wrote this just after Epiphany one year, On January 7.

If you Google January 7, 2018, you are taken to an almanac page that tells you some things about the day:  Sunrise is at 7:20 A.M. . Sunset is at 4:45 P.M.. The day is 9 hours and 25 minutes long.

That is in New York City.

It can be slightly different from a different place and perspective.

In this season, we are called to remembrance of the appearance of God among us, of His presentation in the House of the Father, of the announcement of His royal presence as the Magi presented their gifts, of His constant presence in our midst.

It was in a specific time and place that He appeared, a special time of history from which we could view the past, the present, the future, the near, and the far. The response of sincere, seeking people wherever they stood and beheld the view, was a call to approach Him and bow before Him.

Notice all the references to time and place.

• He was born at a specific time, indicated by the word, “WHEN.”
• He was born IN Bethlehem which, in turn, was a location IN Judea.
• Magi were FROM the East.
• They came TO Jerusalem.
• They asked, “Where IS He?”

They declared they had COME TO worship Him. It is a beautiful view!

God has visited us in Jesus Christ and this is not just a Christmas thing!

This is an ongoing and persistent reality.

From wherever we stand and view the history and magnificence of His coming, we join with the old carol, “O Come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.”