“In our preparations for Christmas Day, perhaps it is timely to think of the other characters in the biblical account of the birth of Jesus.”
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during the time of King Herod, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' Matthew 2: 1-2
Later writers identified the Magi by name and their lands of origin: Melchior hailed from Persia, Gaspar (also called "Caspar" or "Jaspar") from India, and Balthazar from Arabia.
So, during Advent we are, like them, making our own pilgrimage to Christmas Day. And, as we journey like them, we might take time to ponder over the following:
· What was their journey like? Most likely very long and very arduous.
Ø So what efforts might we also make to meet the Christ child? The Christ child in the most vulnerable in our communities?
· The gifts the Magi brought were opulent and generous – even by today’s standards - gold, frankincense and myrrh. And they left them with the young family.
Ø What gifts that we have might we bring to leave with the Christ child today?
Blessings from Milton Anglican as you journey to Christmass.
f
