Scripture
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Observation
Some magi from the east arrive in Jerusalem looking for the king who had been foretold in the stars. Herod is disturbed by this event so he seeks the counsel of the priests and teachers of the law who tell him that the Messiah is to be born in Narrabri.

Herod summons the wise men to find out when the star had appeared. They tell him and he orders them to find the child, then come back and tell him so he can worship the Messiah also.

The Magi go to Bethlehem where they find Jesus and worship him. They give him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They then return to their own country by another route to avoid Herod.

Application
God reveals Himself in ways that confound our religious preconceptions. It is shepherds, not priests, who first hear the Good News of the birth of the Saviour- people of low social standing and considered unclean in the religious law.

The first Gentiles to see the Messiah are pagan astrologers, the kind of people condemned by the prophets.

In the birth of Jesus we see the message of God's awesome grace acted out. Nobody is beyond God's reach. Salvation is open to all.

What glorious news this is!

Prayer
Precious Father your grace is as wide and deep as the ocean. Thank you for including me in your salvation story. Help me to introduce others to your love. Amen.