Discovering the Magic of Christmas

Have you discovered the spirit of Christmas yet?

Most Christmas movies though they tell a different story solve the same problem. George Baily, the Grinch, and Ebineezer Schrooge are all on a journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. They have missunderstood the spirit of Christmas and they must discover it.

According to Google:

Many aspects make up the Spirit of Christmas. Giving, hope, good cheer, love, understanding, helping, goodwill towards men. These are the feelings of Christmas that support the things that go along with this beautiful holiday like Presents, children, Xmas trees, decorations, parties, cookies & candy, and such.

The journey of the Magi

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:1–2

2:1–2. Though not all scholars agree on the timing of the arrival of the Magi from the East, they apparently came some time after the birth of Jesus. Jesus and Mary and Joseph, though still in Bethlehem, were now in a house (v. 11), and Jesus was called a Child (paidion, vv. 9, 11) rather than a newborn Infant (brephos, Luke 2:12).

Verse 3 Herod was disturbed.... and all of Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 4. Bethlehem: Herod versus the Magi (2:1–12)

“Disturbed” is too weak a translation of his reaction; “in turmoil” or even “terrified” (cf. Weymouth, “greatly agitated”) would be more accurate. “All Jerusalem” probably refers primarily to the religious leaders of Israel who dominated the city, many of whom were also personally installed by Herod. The rejection of Jesus by Jerusalem foreshadows his similar fate at the end of his life

Matthew (4. Bethlehem: Herod versus the Magi (2:1–12))

After frequent disputes with Caesar Augustus, the emperor uttered his famous pun that he would rather be Herod’s sow (hys) than his son (huios).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:3–8

Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite. (He reigned over Palestine from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C.

If someone was born from David’s line and was rightfully king then his job was in peril.

Matthew 4. Bethlehem: Herod versus the Magi (2:1–12)

The Magi’s question to Herod emphasizes the word “born.” The grammatical construction makes it clear that they ask about who the child is who has legitimate claim to Israel’s throne by virtue of his birth. Herod is thus viewed as a usurper to the throne.

Herod did a lot of good for the county. He build a lot of nice building and such but he Jews still despised the fact that He was not Jewish and the Romans and giving him the title of king. He also taxed the Jews and conscripted labor from them.

Verse 4. Herod like Jesus own disciple later thought that the messiah would be a political ruler.

Numbers 24:17 CSB

I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.

what is amazing about the star is that it moved east to west then North to south. Bethlehem is south of Jerusalem.

Probably not a planet or supernova.

Matthew 4. Bethlehem: Herod versus the Magi (2:1–12)

The text leaves open the question of whether or not it had so moved previously. If it had not, this could explain why the Magi had managed to get only as far as Jerusalem.

They fell down which is the same word we see in Mark 5:22

Mark 5:22 CSB

One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (2:9–12)

These were gifts worthy of a king and this act by Gentile leaders pictures the wealth of the nations which will someday be completely given to the Messiah (Isa. 60:5, 11; 61:6; 66:20; Zeph. 3:10; Hag. 2:7–8)

why did they come? Did they come to see the sights? Did they come to get into the Christmas spirit (they had gifts to give)? Did they come to fulfil their destiny as it was written in the stars?

No they came to worship! That is their stated intention in verse 2 and the outcome of their journey in verse 11

They were searching for Jesus but they knew what to do when they found Him.

Most Christians are the opposite. We have found Jesus but we don’t know how to interact with Him.

So have you discovered the true spirit of Christmas yet? Is it Giving, hope, good cheer, love, understanding, helping, goodwill towards men. NO!, they are complementary but not the true meaning!

The true spirit of Christmas is the worship of the Saviour. (Messiah)

wise men still search for Him…wiser men find Him .... the wisest of men worship Him.

Just to be clear Jesus these gifts are for your birthday and Christmas.