The Christmas story of the wise men who followed a star which lead them to the young child is extraordinary. The Bible doesn’t actually tell us how many wise men there were or exactly where they came from. However, we do know that there were wise men who traveled an unrecorded number of miles from somewhere in the East, and they found themselves in Jerusalem speaking with king Herod.

Matthew 2:2 – “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.”

We learn that Herod (and all Jerusalem with him!) was troubled at the announcement there is a new King of the Jews born. These men from afar have come to Jerusalem to find the answer to their question, ” where is he? ” Ironically, in response to their question, they are posed with a demand from the king. He demands that they tell him where Christ should be born!

These are strangers from somewhere East of Jerusalem and there is question as to whether or not these men were even Jews. So, for them to travel to worship the “King of the Jews”, who was quite possibly NOT even their king, is amazing itself. Even more amazing to me is the fact that they can answer Herod’s question with ancient scripture, written by a previous prophet. They knew that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. Herod himself should have known and studied the scriptures and he should have been searching for his King. Instead, Herod sends these visiting men to Bethlehem to “search diligently for the young child”, yet doesn’t bother to tag along. Herod has his own schemes and intentions of destroying this precious child, after the work of finding the young child is done for him.

The wise men were looking for this King, and He made Himself known to them. They followed that star til it literally came and stood over over where the young child was. They recognized that He was more than just an ordinary child. We don’t read that the wise men fell and worshipped Herod or that they presented him with any gifts. They had a mission and they knew whom they were seeking. We know they worshipped Jesus and offered Him their treasured gifts.

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10) The purpose of His birth is summed up in that verse. The Lord robed Himself in flesh and came to this Earth to seek and to save every one of us. The book of Romans tells us, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. We all need a Savior. So, while on that particular night that the wise men inquired, “where is He?”, He was seeking . He was seeking the hearts of those very men, and He still stands seeking to save all that are lost.

Bethlehem was only 7 miles from Jerusalem.

You see, if Herod had left his throne he would have had to travel just seven, short miles to find Jesus. Just as the Lord allowed the star to guide the wise men to the place where He lie, He draws the souls of man to Himself. He doesn’t hide from people, but we have to put forth the effort to seek Him. Acts 17:27 – “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:”

On this day, let’s choose to have the desire of the wise men – to seek Jesus out, to worship Him, and to offer Him the gift of our hearts. Lovingly, Jesus doesn’t just take a gift. He is the giver who we can never out give! When we offer him our lives, He gives us the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) He came and gave His life, that we may have everlasting life! (John 3:16) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord . (Romans 6:23)

We celebrate Christmas because Jesus is the reason for the season. But, it is more than just His birth in Bethlehem that we can celebrate today. He wasn’t just born that day so we could gather together, thousands of years later, with friends and family and talk about His miraculous birth. He came to SEEK and SAVE that which was lost. We can celebrate His birth every day in our individual lives.

Psalms 69:32 – The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.