The Wise Men set out from the East to look for the one born to be King.

They found Him in Bethlehem, worshipped Him and presented their gifts. They accomplished their mission.

In contrast, we have Herod.

When told that a King was born, Herod felt threatened and sought to eliminate the newborn King.

He pretended that he was also interested in worshipping the new King, and asked the Wise Men to keep him informed.

When he found out that the Magi had left for home without reporting back to him, he slaughtered all the babies in Bethlehem.

His purpose was to eliminate baby Jesus – if so, his mission was not successful. Jesus had been safely smuggled out of Bethlehem and into Egypt.

Between the Magi and Herod, we have a sharp contrast of how we can view Jesus, the One born to be not just any king, but the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

We can either receive with Him with awe and reverence, or we can reject Him and have nothing to do with Him.

Today there are still people like Herod around. They are troubled and threatened by the mention of another king. They want to run their own lives. They want to be their own lord. 

Thank God there are people like the Magi who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and King. The Magi go to great lengths to seek Him and find Him. And when they find Him, they offer their very best to Him.

Do you care?

There is a third group of people whom we often overlook in the Christmas story.

They are overlooked, perhaps, because they appear and disappear just as quickly in the narrative, even though their role is not a small one (Matthew 2:3-6).

They are not like Herod who goes out of his way to destroy Jesus.

Neither are they like the Magi who go out of their way to find and worship Jesus.

This third group consists of the chief priests and teachers of the law. King Herod called them together and consulted them as to where the King of the Jews would be born.

These religious leaders knew the Scriptures. They quoted the right chapter and verse, and pointed Herod and the Wise Men to Bethlehem.

But did they do anything about the announcement of the newborn King? Nothing. They knew where He would be born – just a few kilometres away. But they did nothing.

They did not move a finger or a foot to find the King. They just knew where He could be found.

Could it be that many people in the world today are like that – including those in the church?

We know the Scriptures. We can even give advice from it. We are not far from where “church” is happening.

We are neither passionately for Jesus nor passionately against Him.

We are simply apathetic.  

This Christmas, which are you? The Wise Men, who sought out the King to worship Him?

King Herod, who sought out the King to destroy Him?

Or are you like the religious leaders who just could not care less?

MORE CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS:

This Christmas, who’s looking for whom?

Feeling the loss of a loved one this “merry” season? Remember the Christ of Christmas

Let your hopes and fears meet the Christ of Christmas

The grace of receiving: Let it abound