I.
As we approach the fourth Sunday of Advent, we have as our Scripture focus the arrival of the “wise men.” While we have Christmas hymns that call these men “kings,” they were more likely of a class of scholars or priests who were astrologers.

We also encounter King Herold in this week’s passage.

As you spend time with the Scripture, pay attention to what you can discern about the wise men and about King Herold.

II.
Matthew 2:1-2

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

Matthew 2:7-15

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

III.
What is the purpose of the wise men from a foreign country in seeking out Jesus’ location?

What is the purpose of King Herod in seeking where he can find Jesus?

After we notice something of what motivates these folk, what might we begin to notice about those who seek Jesus today. Do some want to align with Jesus? Do some want Jesus to align with them? Do some want Jesus out of view?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}