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Figures of the Nativity
Once they noticed the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with nice pleasure. Matthew 2:10
Good morning Prayer Group!
In the present day we proceed on our research of the “Figures of the Nativity” by talking concerning the Magi, the final folks to participate within the story. We aren’t informed what number of “Magi” got here to worship Jesus. Now we have settled on three, since three distinct items have been provided. We all know that the Magi got here from distant and adopted a star for 2 years earlier than discovering the Christ-child (discover He’s a toddler, not a babe in swaddling cloths when the Magi arrive).
There are two essential issues that the Magi carry to the Nativity. First they create religion. Religion is once you don’t know the result of one thing however you do it anyway. It doesn’t take religion for me to sit down within the chair I’m sitting in. I do know that this chair will assist my weight. I knew that after I purchased it. There is no such thing as a religion concerned on this train. It doesn’t take religion to drive a automotive—it takes ability. It does, nonetheless, take religion, to go away one’s residence and one’s nation and simply begin strolling, following a star, not realizing the place it will lead or what could be discovered on the finish of the path. That is the primary lesson of the Magi.
Our Christian life is rather a lot just like the journey of the Magi. It’s lengthy to most of us. Nonetheless, most of us don’t know the place it is going to find yourself, and there are at all times sudden twists and turns alongside the best way. I realized a very long time in the past that God isn’t going to guage us by the place we find yourself essentially (it gained’t matter to Him if we’re wealthy and well-known) however the journey in getting there. Did we make our journey with honesty? Integrity? Consistency? No matter journey God has laid out for us (primarily based on the abilities and circumstances that He has crafted uniquely for every of us), God’s want is to stroll our distinctive path in a means that honors Him and exhibits love for others.
Despite the fact that the Scriptures don’t use the phrase “search” within the story of the Magi, a number of Christmas carols do. The Magi went on a two 12 months journey, following the Star, “in search of” one thing. They have been intrigued sufficient to go away nations and kingdoms distant to comply with after the Star. Those that are “seekers” anticipate finding one thing. For many who assume they’ve discovered no matter they want, there is no such thing as a impetus to be seekers. It is crucial as Christians that we’ve the angle of “seekers”. We will’t fake to know all the things there may be concerning the Christian religion and the Christian life, however we must always at all times be in search of to know Christ on a deeper degree.
The Magi had no thought the place their journey would lead them. Nonetheless, they adopted the star, not in blind obedience, however in pleasure. We learn within the Scriptures that once they noticed the star, they have been crammed with pleasure. They weren’t insistent or impatient within the journey. They rejoiced for the trail. All that God asks of us is to stroll the trail with pleasure and with love, strolling as greatest we are able to in the best way of His commandments, utilizing the abilities with which He has blessed us.
The second factor we keep in mind concerning the Magi is their items. They didn’t come to fulfill Christ empty-handed. They introduced items that have been acceptable for the event—Gold for a king; frankincense for God; myrrh due to the sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross, after which His Physique could be anointed with myrrh.
A lot of the emphasis of Christmas has to do with items. We stress and overspend as we store for the proper items. We wait with anticipation hoping we acquired the items on our record. There’s generally disappointment once we don’t get what we wish, and no matter we don’t assume we are able to use, we return to the shop.
As we scurry round to purchase our items in the previous couple of days earlier than the Nativity, you will need to keep in mind that there’s a “reward trade” with Christ on Christmas in two methods. Within the Divine Providers, we provide our attendance, and He presents Himself within the Holy Communion. And in our lives, He presents us salvation, and in trade we provide the primary fruits of our lives.
Each a part of the creation introduced a present to the manger—the Angels introduced hymns, the heavens introduced a star, the shepherds introduced marvel and the Magi introduced items. The earth provided a cave and the human race provided the Virgin Mary. As we come once more to the manger what’s going to we provide? What is going to you supply?
When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Magi got here from the East, they usually worshiped God turn into man. They readily opened their treasures, and the supply Him valuable items: pure gold to the King of the ages; incense to the God of all; and myrrh to the Immortal One, who would die for 3 days. Come, all nations, allow us to worship Him who was born to avoid wasting our souls. (Aposticha, Vespers of the Nativity, Trans. by Fr. Seraphim Dedes)
The teachings of the Magi are: We have to be seekers. The journey to salvation is lengthy, and the best way generally is unknown. We should proceed to belief. We should stroll with pleasure. And we should carry items which are match for God, accepting additionally His items to us.
+Fr. Stavros
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