βBut while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sinsβ (Matthew 1:20,21).
The third verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights todayβs Scripture.
βSo bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.β
While commonly assumed the wise men came to visit Baby Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem, a careful study of Matthew chapter 2 shows us that they met Jesus in Josephβs house in Nazareth, when He was as much as two years old (Matthew 2:16). The Bible never specifies βthreeβ wise men or three βkings,β either. Regardless of their number, these wise men, Gentiles from the East, came to Jerusalem looking for Israelβs King. Upon hearing the wise men, King Herod and all of Jerusalem were βtroubledβ (Matthew 2:3). Israel should be ready to receive her Messiah-King, but she is not. Gentiles are seeking Israelβs King, and they, the Gentiles, are ready! How odd!
The wise men learn that Israelβs Messiah was born in Bethlehem-Judah (Matthew 2:4-6), but a βstarβ (angel) leads them to Nazareth (Matthew 2:7-10). Verse 11: βAnd when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.β Jesus is a King, so the wise men have brought gold to Him. They have brought Him frankincense because He is a Priest. Myrrh has been brought to Him because He is a Prophet. Gentiles treat Israelβs King with more respect than Israel does!
Nothing has changed today. Some reject Jesus Christ while others accept Him. The songwriter, as does this author, urges people to accept Him! source
