Gospel Message Day 92

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 25

Day 25 scripture - Matthew 2:1-14

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him,bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy.

And 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.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt

I know. Advent usually leads up to the 25th. I've never seen one go beyond. But it is right that it should. For one as you can tell by the scripture, because the wise men hadn't come, yet. Now starts the 12 days of Christmas which is related to the wise men (even though it actually took the wise men 2 or 3 years to get to the baby, or, as is stated, the young child). Plus, we want to keep Christmas throughout the year. So these Christmas scriptures can go for a few days more.

In recent years, I have often heard a phrase that I love very much: Wise Men Still Seek Him.

Possibly why this song (which sums up all the scriptures we've had in this advent calendar) by Hilary Weeks is on my highest ranked playlist and gets played throughout the year:



Following the Savior each day of our lives--that is the gift we give to the first Gift of Christmas.