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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Friday, December 29, 2023
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :The Three Wise Men Bible Verse: Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV) "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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And 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. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘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.’” Star of Bethlehem Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And 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.” When 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And 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. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. " Message:
The story of the three wise men is one of the most cherished parts of the story of Christmas. Christian tradition has split it into two similar stories; 1) the “Three Wise Men” or “Magi,” and 2) the “Three Kings.” The second of these is really a backwards interpretation, as it comes from a passage in Isaiah: “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. . . . They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.” (Isaiah 60:3,6) Also, it was not uncommon for lesser kings to travel to greet great rulers, bringing gifts.
It is a nice interpretation, and commonly told in Western churches, perhaps because of the popularity of the Christmas carol We Three Kings (of Orient Are). But there isn’t really much to support it outside Isaiah’s prophecy. Nothing in the New Testament indicates that they were kings.
Adoration of the Magi, tapestry
Nor does the Bible tell us how many of them came. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so popular culture has depicted three wise men, each carrying a different gift, and legend has even given them names. All that detail probably isn't accurate, but it makes for a good song!
Much more clearly, they were magi. Although the word has come to refer to a magician in modern times, it was used differently when the Gospel of Matthew was written. The magi were a specific sect of astrologers centered in Persia or perhaps Babylonia (both of which lie east of Bethlehem). So the Biblical magi were almost certainly from the general vicinity of Iran, which makes sense: a sect of astrologers would have noticed such an unusual star and given it religious significance.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were typical presents that would be brought to a king. Frankincense is a type of incense, burned for the fragrant smoke and often used in purification ceremonies; it is the “incense” still used today in some liturgical churches for special occasions. Myrrh is a fragrant oil, used for embalming and for unction. All three were costly. Many scholars have attributed a spiritual meaning to them: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense as a symbol of priesthood, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
Meditation : Prayer : Now, oh Lord, I pray that you may lift up the light of your countenance upon me, and give me peace; in my going out and in my coming in; in my sitting down and my rising up; in my work and in my play; in my joy and in my sorrow, in my laughter and in my tears; until that day comes which is without dawn and without dark. |
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