Worship During Advent

Although most of us are familiar with the story of Christ's birth, realizing the wise men (probably many more than three) are a staple of nativity scenes and stories, many of us don't realize they didn't show up in time to see Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the stable. Rather, they visited the family in a house. It is unclear exactly how long after the birth they arrived, but they had quite a distance to travel, and Herod had all of the male children under age 2 killed shortly after the family fled Bethlehem.

The reason for their journey was clear: The King of the Jews had been born, and they came to worship Him. This bothered Herod, as well as the city of Jerusalem. Why? Because the three wise men were known because of their authority and because it simply wasn't practical to make such a journey without a measure of protection. The Bible doesn't say this is the case, but it is likely these men

Herod as well as the city of Jerusalem. Why were they all troubled? It is because these men were known as those who spoke with authority and because it is not practical to make such a journey without a measure of protection. The Bible does not say that this is the case, but in all likelihood, these men embarked on a journey of risk -- and faith to worship the King whom they knew was deserving of their adoration.