In Search Of Emmanuel-God With Us
God Becomes Man: LUKE: 2: 8-17
Two thousand and twelve years ago, around this time, a wise man named Belthasar, who is believed to be an astronomer, gazed up into the evening sky of what is believed to be Persia, and saw this very extraordinarily bright star in the eastern sky.
Believing the star to be a sign of importance, a celestial sign from God, he remembers the prophecy foretold of a Messiah, and sets out to greet this Messiah if it is him. Belthasar begins to follow this star on his own. He is soon joined by two other Magi or wisemen from around Syria and the three begin a trek across the country following this star. We have to keep in mind that this is no overnight trek into the desert, travelling from Persia to Bethlehem would take several weeks or months, across very rough terrain.
As the three begin their journey to follow the star, an angel from the heavens appears in the night sky and approaches the three magi, announcing the soon arrival of Emmanuel, The Saviour, The Son of God, The Messiah. The night skies fill with the voices of a choir of angels praising the arrival of Jesus.
Carrying with them riches of Gold, Frankincense and Myrr, the three Magi continue their journey to follow the star with the hopes of finding this new born babe proclaimed by the angel, and arrive in Jerusalem where Herrod of Antipast was king, king of Judea. They sought knowledge from him about this baby they were in search of, but Herrod, being only concerned with himself and his kingdom had heard nothing. Out of fear Herrod ask the Magi to return to him if they find the baby, but they don’t obey.
The three magi continue on their quest in search of this baby they believe to be the Messiah, the son of God, following this special star until it lights over the small town of Bethlehem and a small open aired manger in the barn of the town inn.
Finally after many days travel they arrive at Bethlehem. As they approached the manger, they discovered Joseph keeping watch over Mary his wife and their newly born baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Immediately they realized and recognized Jesus as the prophetically foretold Messiah, Emmanuel and fell to their knees in adoration to worship Him, and each presented Jesus with their special gift of Gold, Frankincense, or Myrr, as a token of their admiration and respect.
Thrity-three years later, this same baby, who had been sought out and worshipped by the three Magi as the Messiah was humiliated, beaten, crucified, and then resurrected by God. This child was Jeasus Christ the Son of God, the Lamb of God.
Two thousand and twelve years after His birth we still celebrate His birth and arrival as the Son of God with Man, and even more importantly we celebrate His crucifixion and resurrection which is our re-birth as Christians.