Advent Carols #4: Numbers 24:17 – We Three Kings [Christmas Star Stained Glass]
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.” Numbers 24:17
Star with Royal Beauty Bright
In my opinion, some of the most intriguing characters in the Christmas story are the wise men. In Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus, we read about these magi from the East. During their research into prophecies and histories of many nations, these scholars have come across a prophecy about a great king of the Jews whose birth would be accompanied by an exceptional star heralding this king.
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
The Light of the World
Jesus, the Light of the World, came onto the scene with the bright and wondrous star that was so unusual it was recognized by the wise men. They were so convinced that the star was the sign of the King of King’s birth that they hopped on their camels and traveled the long and dusty miles upon miles to Jerusalem to find and worship at His tiny feet.
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 when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Understanding leads to worship
The wise men understood the significance of the prophecy and its fulfillment, and it catalyzed them to worship. They acted on their new knowledge and came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. Matthew 2:7-12
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign. [Refrain]
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
Gold to crown the King of kings. Frankincense for purification and perfume. Myrrh, a foreshadowing of the significant death of Jesus.
Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high. [Refrain]Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]
These were expensive gifts for the time, an acknowledgment of the royalty and value of Emmanuel – God with us.
Death is not the end
After worshipping the newborn Savior, these magi are warned in a dream that Herod’s motives are not good. They save the life of Jesus by not returning to Jerusalem and telling Herod where the child is. They protect Him by traveling home by a different route.
Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh have symbolic meaning for Jesus’ life on earth and His sacrificial death, but death is not the end of the story. In triumph over hell itself, Jesus rose from the dead, forever reigning as the King who deserves our worship.
Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]
Advent Carols #4 ACTION STEP:
Like the stained glass in our printable this week, our lives are made up of many moments and opportunities. We learn things and understand new truths as we live, but do those glimpses of wisdom lead us to worship King Jesus?
Take a few moments today in the midst of the business of the season to follow the example of the wisemen and follow the star to the King in order to WORSHIP HIM.
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PRAYER:
Dear God, thank you for Jesus. We acknowledge His Kingship in our lives and submit to that authority. We worship the Light of the World and are in awe of the wonder and beauty of that Light. Guide us to Your Perfect Light. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Advent Carols Series Free Printables:
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Advent Carols Series Overview Page:
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