Yesterday, we looked at how Jesus' birth fit into the big picture of prophecy in Israel.  Today, let's look at an even bigger picture:  how Jesus' birth fit into the greater world around Israel.  We'll do that by looking at who noticed His birth, and what they did about it:  ¹Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ²“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” ³King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”  ⁵“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:  ⁶‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,  are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you  who will be the shepherd for my people Israel'”

Wise men came from eastern lands.  We all know about the "three kings."  But we actually don't know how many "kings" there were, and they weren't kings.  What they were was scholars, perhaps political emissaries and they watched the heavens for signs of "bigger things" happening around the world.  The stars "told them" a new King of the Jews had been born.  The "old" king of the Jews--Herod, had no clue this had happened on his watch, and he DID watch for anything that couldn't threaten his reign as king.  The wise men of Israel knew where the king would have been born--in Bethlehem, not coincidentally the very place Jesus had been born some two years earlier!

As we look at how God arranged this amazing event, and then made it known to wise men from eastern lands, and motivated them to come and visit Jesus, we see that Jesus fit into a far bigger picture than just being the Messiah  and Savior of Israel.  Jesus was and IS the Savior of the world. That's why we make such a big deal of Christmas, why we celebrate His presence in our lives year round.  Take a moment right now to celebrate Jesus' presence in your life, and to consider the profound impact He has had on the world, because as John's gospel puts it:  the Word became flesh and lived among us.

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for always seeing the bigger picture, and for keeping our best interests at heart, even when we don't.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live whole-heartedly for You.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.