We celebrate with the nations that Jesus Christ is born. We focus on the dream given to the magi, trained astronomers from the Persian court. These wise men see a remarkable heavenly vision of a star heralding the birth of a king. These dignitaries leave their palace and arrive in Jerusalem with a question: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt 2:2). When Herod heard the news, he was greatly distressed and asked a poignant question of his own: “Where is the Messiah to be born?” (Matt 2:4). The scholars answered that the Savior must be born in Bethlehem. The magi follow the star to Bethlehem. When they saw the child with Mary his mother, they fell down and worshiped him. They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh fit for a king. Then they are warned in a dream not to return to Herod and joyously depart to their own country bearing good news for the world.
