Matthew 2 ~ they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy

Matthew 2

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" 

 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."

 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 

11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 

17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." 

21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.

 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 2 is Alive.

How can we possibly say the Word of God is Living and Active if Matthew 2 is not alive?

Peter would say a Day to God is thousands of years and this might be God's Good Morning.

God's Early, Early Morning, Good Morning.


Father God is not going to let His Living Word in Matthew 2 be something we can remember and not be engaged and alive with. This is God's Living Word.

We journey with the Magi journey - a Spiritual Journey. The Magi rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. These Children of God were reaching out to God. As they grew into their lives, the beginning of the Spiritual Journey - we can all remember and know - having no idea what is in head of us. The Magi - wise men understanding the signs - knocked on the Door of King Herod.

Starting out with hopes. And finding God was with them. Emmanuel. Rejoicing with Joy.

And in each step God gave them provisions to continue. We can find this Good News, God considered the Magi Wise.

The Magi Depart. And again, as always, this is the Story of Christ - God's Son, Jesus. Others will become part of God moving His Plan along. Life brings in new people and new places. With the familiar aspect of God - Comfort is arriving with changes. And with the comfort comes the call, the bravery and the necessity to go with Father God's Plan again.

This isn't just Christmas and the Journey with Jesus Christ, we are finding God's Plan moves far beyond this season. And the familiar Teaching of the Holy Spirit. God is making a path for each day.

Father God, Jesus and God's Word are alive today
Father God, Jesus and God's Word are Working today.

Father God heals the blind. Jesus is the exact nature of Father God. The Magi travel blindly with faith and announce the birth of Herod's worst fears. God Himself feels their joy and God finds their path for them. Creating not just their path, but of the Holy Family. History records the infants were few in number the villainous Herod killed. The Path of Father God reveals hearts. The Heavens provide direction for the Magi to return with clear sight.

Father God works with us - just as Jesus worked with His Disciples and their blindness.

Father God heals the deaf. After listening to Herod, the Magi went on their path. And God gave  correct direction. God is known to speak to the deaf - personally. Their experiences in the Gospels - are nothing short of increasing our longing for God's time and care.

God listens to us pray, just as Jesus sat and healed the deaf - personally and with great care and obvious compassion.

Father God heals the lame. Jesus was not counted as much in the Temple and with Sadducean Council because He was from Nazareth. God used this place to raise Jesus as the Christ of God. God makes disadvantage His Glory.

We are blessing seekers and finders with God our Father. Turning disadvantage into His Glory. Finding more Heaven on earth.

Father God brings Good News to the poor. In the millenniums- so many years, we consider ourselves far from Jesus - impoverished. And we find the Living Word of God is for us today.

Today God's Story is our very own. In Jesus, we are the Children of God by the Will of God. Today. We want to be and we are sealed in Jesus Christ as His own now and forever.

Abba, Holy Father,

We ask Your Living Word to Bless us each day.

We ask Your Blessing is willing for us and for those we Love.

We ask to be Blessing Seekers. Seeing the Blessing in each day. Building our lives to be meaningful. As we Trust You, Father God our eyes, ears, path and Victory are more clear. Trusting You we have more Joy and clearly see more meaning walking with Jesus.

With Hope, Faith and Joy knowing our Nation Trusts in You. The Good Pew Reports telling us prayer is increasing with certainty of Your Love and Willingness. You have Given, Given, Given us Jesus.

Your Children praying for more Heaven on earth. What a Blessing for us all. God blesses us, everyone.

Praying for our elderly dog, Jackson, falling down stairs and biting our son Cal on his nose, drawing blood at Cal's birthday time and Christmas season the day after final exams. For the poor nose and the poor, 14 year loyal dog to heal.

The Blessing of God flowing all around us. Merry Christmas.

Amen in Jesus Christ.

James Tissot

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †