Reactions to the Birth of Christ

In Matthew Chapter 2:1‑12 we read the very familiar Christmas Story.  The Wise Men came to seek the King of the Jews.  In this reading we see three reactions to the birth of Christ.

The first reaction to Christ’s birth was Herod’s.  The Wise Men came and ask, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  They expected to find the whole nation of Israel worshiping and they came to worship Him also.

But Herod was troubled and Herod’s final reaction was one of hostility.  He ordered all the children of age two and down in Bethlehem to be killed.  One does not have to look very far outside of the church today to find a Herod, one who is hostile to the birth of Christ.

The second reaction we read about in the scripture is the religious leaders.  Herod ask them a simple question, Where was the Christ to be born?  They quoted Micah 5:2, but they were to busy with their religious activities to be concerned with the Christ Child.  Their reaction was one of indifference. They did not go worship.

The Chief Priest and Scribes are with us today.  Many Christians never witness or worship because they are so loaded down with religious affairs.  If Satan can get you busy with affairs of this life and stop your witness and worship ‑ you can become indifferent to the Christ Child.

The third reaction we read about is of the wise men.  Their chief desire was to lay their best gifts at the feet of the Christ Child.  They did not give up in finding the King; they came to Israel, then Jerusalem, and then Bethlehem.

Their reaction was one of worship, they brought three gifts 1) Gold ‑ a King's Gift  2) Frankincense ‑ a gift for a priest, and it was used in temple sacrifices and 3) Myrrh – a gift for one whom is to die, and it was used in embalming the body.  The redemption for our sins was possible through the death of our Kingly Priest

What is your reaction to the birth of the Christ Child?  Our prayer is that you will be a wise man or woman and seek to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.