December 24 - Are You a Wise Guy?
December 24
Are You a Wise Guy?
Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD the Christmas story many times, right? But how well do you really know it? Take the following quiz, and see if you're truly a "wise guy" (or girl) when it comes to the story of Jesus' birth. (Circle the best answer for each question.)
1. The wise men who journeyed from afar to visit Jesus were
a. astrologers. b. kings. c. circus performers.
2. How many wise men were there?
a. Three. b. I don't know. c. I know, but I'm not telling.
3. The wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem and visited him in
a. a stable. b. a manger. c. a house.
4. The wise men's gifts included
a. gold. b. Frankenstein. c. fur.
You see, a lot of misunderstanding has arisen about the visit of the wise men to Jesus on that first Christmas long ago. Most of people think the wise men were kings (probably because of the Christmas carol, "We Three Kings"); but they were most likely court astrologers for some city or nation. Most people think there were three wise men, but the Bible doesn't say how many wise men came to visit Jesus. And although your family's manger scene probably shows the wise men visiting Jesus at the stable where the Lord was born, they apparently didn't arrive until Jesus, Joseph, and Mary had moved into a house somewhere (see Matthew 2:11). And, of course, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense (not Frankenstein), and myrrh (not fur). So if your answers were (a), (b), (c), and (a), you really are a "wise guy" (or girl).
But the story of the wise men visiting Jesus is more than just fun and games. It can remind us that Christmas is more about giving than about getting. The wise men brought generous gifts to the Christ child that first Christmas, but they brought even more than expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They brought themselves--and their worship.
This Christmas Eve you're probably thinking a lot about what you're getting for Christmas. But a more important question is: What are you giving?
REFLECT: Christmas is exciting, isn't it? it's hard not to think about the gifts you will get to unwrap. But take a few minutes to think about what you're going to give for Christmas. Can you think of ways you can be generous (with gifts, time, favors, manners, worship, and so on) to your family and to Jesus?
PRAY: "Lord, I know You value generosity. I want to learn about giving during Christmas instead of thinking only about getting. Please help me to show generosity to others--and to You--this Christmas."