After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2, New International Version).  As the rest of the story unfolds, we have the familiar account of the Magi or Wise Men following the star to the place where the young Messiah was.  Upon finding him they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

There is much that we do not know about the Wise Men, but what we do know is that they made great effort to locate the young Christ so they could offer Him the praise and acknowledgement that He deserved.  They searched diligently until they found Him, then they bowed down and worshipped Him (verse 11).

Sometimes in life searching must be employed in order to achieve or receive what we desire.  Last week I had an experience that required me to do some searching for a solution.  As I traveled along visiting the sick, I noticed that my back turn signal had stopped working.  I usually take care of those little problems without having to take the vehicle in for repair, so I assessed the situation to determine how to replace the blown bulb.  To my disappointment I did not see an easy access to the problem area and when I consulted the owner’s manual it directed me to contact the car dealership.  Not willing to use that suggested approach, I continued to search.  After not being able to make any headway to solve my predicament, I sought help—I turned to the computer.

I did a Google search and Google directed me to You Tube; to my delight You Tube presented a video that demonstrated to me how to fix my problem quickly and easily.  My search directed me to two hidden screws that solved the mystery.  Within a few minutes it was all finished at a cost of less than ten dollars.

Great accomplishment and fulfillment can be enjoyed when we search diligently for needed answers.  The Wise Men searched until they found the Christ, and when they found Him they surely experienced joy beyond words.  That event probably took place somewhat later than tradition portrays, but whenever it occurred it took place under God’s supervision and direction.

Obviously, it is no longer necessary to search for the Christ-child, but sometimes we have the need to search for a deeper walk with God and for ways to better please Him.  In those times we can search the Scriptures to see what God has preserved in His Word to direct us to know Him more deeply. 

A good and necessary step that we must take as we begin to search for a deeper walk with God is to allow Him to search our hearts and rid us of anything that would hinder our walk with Him.  In their search for Messiah, the Wise Men followed the star that God provided to guide them to the place where Christ was.  When they found Him they worshipped and honored Him as they presented their best gifts to Him. 

Among the things that we are reminded of this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us remember the importance of seeking after Him and giving Him our very best.  In the words of Jesus Christ, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).