Overflowing Joy
"And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him...." - Matthew 2:11a
Few people enjoy Christmas more than children. Simply recall their unbridled enthusiasm and the wonder and jubilation beaming from their faces as they rush down the stairs on Christmas morning. The joy of the wise men might have actually topped theirs. Matthew says, "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."
The Magi traveled a long way to see Jesus. They heard God's Word telling them where His Son would be born. They saw the star go ahead of them until it stood over the house, and they saw the King of Israel--probably only a toddler at the time. They fell before him and presented Him their precious gifts.
What an amazing picture? These weren't children running down the hall to see the presents waiting for them under the tree. These were grown men--important, dignified, well-educated men. Yet they were gripped by an incredible joy impossible for them to contain.
We know so many things they didn't know. We know this was God's eternal Son. We know He came to live the perfect life we can't. We know He grew up to heal the blind, deaf and lame, to drive out demons and raise the dead. We know He died on the cross and rose again to give us eternal life. But with all of that, do we share their overwhelming joy at our Savior's birth, life, death and resurrection for us? - Lutheran Hour Ministries, 2010