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“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him…When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” - Matthew 2:1–2, 10–12

It might be hard for us to understand, but the ancient world understood, in a way that we seem to have lost, that the stars were also signs that revealed times and seasons (Genesis 1:14). This included, apparently, the times and seasons of kings and nations. The Magi from the East were familiar with the stars and were able to read their signs. The stars revealed that there was a new King born to Jerusalem.

What started out as an astral discovery led to curiosity, which led to their long journey west to meet and worship the newbornKing. Such a journey was not without great expense; an expense they were willing to make to meet this King.

They were willing to be disrupted by the coming of Jesus.

They needed to see this King, heralded by the stars, for themselves. They brought royal gifts and were willing to sacrifice time, energy, and finances to make the trip. They were willing to be disrupted by the coming of Jesus. They were also willing to walk into harm's way. It was well known that the Herods, like many rulers, would use lethal force against any who might threaten their kingship. Were it not for God’s intervention and direction to travel back home by a different route, they likely would have lost their lives. The disruption of Jesus put their lives in a position of risk.

Truly knowing Jesus changes how we evaluate everything in our life.

While we may no longer understand the stars the way the Magi did, through the knowledge of Christ we can understand why they were willing to make the costly trek. Truly knowing Jesus changes how we evaluate everything in our life. Encountering Jesus demands a response from us. A response that will include our time, our energy, and our finances. It may also include encountering new risks. You might lose your job, you might lose your friend group, you might be canceled. But those who see Christ for who he is know that those risks and losses are nothing in comparison to what we gain through Christ. It becomes clear that the disruption, the risk, and the cost are worth it.

This Christmas, consider the gift of Christ that makes all risks and disruptions seem small by comparison. Look to Christ and consider his surpassing worth so that you might say with Paul: Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8).

Liturgy

Our Father of Lights,

Our vision and understanding of what is valuable and worthy is often blurred or blinded by our sinful desires.

We look to the treasures of the earth for our hope and trust when only Christ is worthy of these things.

By our own evaluations we would trade your infinite glory for a fleeting pleasure.

So Father forgive us, and by your Spirit give us eyes to see the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, your son.

Without your Holy Spirit we are like blind men looking for guidance from the stars they cannot see.

Help us to see Christ and his glory so that knowing his surpassing worth would free us to count everything else as loss.

In the name of Jesus our Lord,

Amen