Day fifty one

Today I thought I would be completely liturgically incorrect and look at the wise men who visited Jesus. They had something in common with the shepherds. They were outsiders. they were Gentiles. They were not us.

But they saw his star in the East when He was born, and they set out for Israel.

From?

The east!

That's like saying, "Up north".

But we can guess somewhere like Babylon, where wise men lived. I checked Google Maps again, and from Baghdad to Bethlehem it is 694 miles. That would take 10 days and 12 hours to walk. Remember the toilet breaks, and the camels, so maybe 2-3 weeks. And they went to Jerusalem first. Who knows how long they stayed there.

They eventually found the toddler Jesus at his house in Bethlehem - outgrown his manger by now, and probably walking.

I can ruin any Nativity scene - just give me the chance!

The purpose of mentioning them is that they fulfil several Old Testament prophecies about Gentiles coming to worship the God of Israel.

Having done a little shopping lately for Christmas food I think the Gentiles around here may be planning to worship Bacchus.

But who are you worshipping this Christmas?

It's the 23rd December 2025.

I haven't been to any carol services, or any services really, so I haven't heard the Bible passages read. I haven't preached about how amazing it is that we take for granted the idea that the immortal, invisible, God only wise became a baby.

It is mind-blowing!

It was for us!

To take away our sin; to take away our illnesses; to take away our death.

It is is a time for feasting, not fasting. We should celebrate.

And so I will do that, knowing that whatever is wrong with me, I have a God who knows what it's like to be human and to live in bodies like this with all their problems.