The Three Wise Men: They give up the safety of their homeland as they travel from Persia to Israel. This is a risky journey. They carry valuable items for the newborn King. They have only a star to follow. What did their compatriots think as they load up and head out? These men have a reputation. These are men of books, stars, and maps. What if they are wrong? They are traveling to a foreign land. Will they be accepted by the people of that land? Will they arrive on the appointed day and time? Will they be able to find and worship this King? Will doors be slammed in their faces because they are not Jewish?
They are wise men, possessing a lot of head knowledge. But they must follow that star! Despite the danger to self and reputation, they must go. Yes, there is a lot to lose, but look at what they will gain! The hardest journey for these men will be only a distance of fourteen inches--from their heads to their hearts.
They fall down on their knees once they come near to the Baby King. Any doubts they carry with them are cast into the light coming from His precious face. The very gifts that made their trip so dangerous are now placed at His side. Each gift reflects this Child.
Gold is precious beyond measure. It must be burned in the fire to purify it. He is precious beyond measure and His excruciating death will purify us from our sins.
Frankincense is burned to release a sweet fragrance. His death will release the sweet fragrance of the penalty paid, to be inhaled by all those who believe.
Myrrh is an aromatic resin with a slightly bitter taste. It is used for embalming but also for healing. His death will be bitter, but His Resurrection will be the healing of our souls.
These men lay their gifts before the manger. Into their empty hands is given the greatest gift of all: They look upon the face of God. Their hearts now know that God keeps His promises.
The Shepherds: They give up watching their sheep momentarily. They know their job, their responsibility. They are in the outskirts of town. They are low in status, but they will break through that and go into town, emboldened by the message they hear. They risked scorn and disapproval: “Do angels really sing praises out where people like you may hear them? Oh, come on!” But here they come. Nothing will stop this excited band of men, whose ears still ring with the heavenly chorus. Their gain? They are going into the manger to see this Baby. They are trusting God to watch their sheep.
He is the God of the big things, such as this news and the voices of praising angels! He is also the God of the little things. God will keep the flock together while the shepherds seek and find His newborn Son. They step off the hillsides in a faith that will never leave them.
Joseph: He had to give up his fear or at least, not allow it to paralyze him. Has Mary betrayed him? Is she lying to him? He is wounded by the possibility of her infidelity. Doubt, anger, consternation and hurt all swirl in his heart, wounding him over and over.
He is a craftsman whose reputation in the community keeps his trade alive. Will it be undone by whispering? What will others think? He feels such shame for Mary and his heart seizes up when he ponders the consequence of her actions: death. All these questions and more challenge him to the very marrow of his bones.
Yet, he will hear the voice of God as he sleeps. He will arise out of his slumber a determined man. He will provide for Mary. He will gain a journey. Not just any journey, but one alongside the Son of God. He will raise the Boy, teach him to hew wood and cut stone. Someday this very Child will hang from a wooden cross and lie behind a large stone. But Death will not hold Him for long.
Joseph cannot see what the future holds, but he knows Who holds the future.
Mary: She gives up her reputation. She will give up peace. Her sense of what is normal will be replaced with a fear of husband’s distrust or reprisal, of public humiliation, and even of death.
But she will gain the smile of God. She will nourish the Son of God Who will someday nourish her. She will comfort Him when He cries. One day, she will be comforted by Him when He hangs on a cross and gives her John to care for her. She will treasure much in her heart to sustain her in the coming days when she cannot understand Him. The day He hangs on a cross will require her to reach into her heart deeply. But her greatest treasure will be when she beholds Him once more: glorified and radiant on that future Sunday morning.
Where do all of these people go from here?
The three wise men will leave Bethlehem, hearing of the butchery by King Herod to root out all the male children under the age of two. An earthly king will mercilessly kill to stop the heavenly King. The men ride back into the west, grief-stricken. They will cling to the promise of "Peace on earth, good will to men."
Joseph and Mary will leave for Egypt, far away from everyone to avoid the coming slaughter. It is not their Lamb's time yet. They will long return home someday. In the future, when they hear of Herod's death, their joy will turn once again to fear as they learn of Herod's son on the throne. They must go and settle in yet another village. Do they ever stop looking over their shoulders while Jesus is small? Will evil men come for Him to take Him to His death?
Not for now.
But someday, He will go willingly with evil men.
He came to die for men like these. He even will forgive them from the cross.
What do we give up? We lose the loneliness and alienation from the King of the Universe, who came to be the King of our hearts.
What do we gain?
We gain the gift of eternal life through His death.
We gain His abundant life as we peer into His empty tomb that spring morning.
In every season we travel, are we realizing with ever increasing confidence that whatever we are challenged with, whatever we have to give up, is nothing compared to the beauty of the Son and the life He offers?
We gain the gift of eternal life through His death.
We gain His abundant life as we peer into His empty tomb that spring morning.
In every season we travel, are we realizing with ever increasing confidence that whatever we are challenged with, whatever we have to give up, is nothing compared to the beauty of the Son and the life He offers?
Stand at the manger and know that God loves us beyond measure.
Stand at the cross and know that God loves us forever.
May His shalom be your portion this Christmas season!
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