What made the wise men wise? What gave them a place in the Sacred Volume and in the heart and fancy of the ages? The answer is simple. They came to the Lord Jesus Christ and worshipped Him. By following His star out of the East they were led out of obscurity to renown as fragrant as their spices.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Wise they were and wise are we to come with reverential faith to the feet of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, to worship Him as Saviour and Lord.

We Walk in Light of His Word

Our part is not to follow in the wake of the rising star through desert sands to His humble abode. Ours is to be led by the steps of faith in the light of His Word through prophecy and history, from manger to cross, and into His very presence to embrace Him as our own personal Saviour. We rejoice at His birth, we marvel at His life, we confess His death to be death in our stead, we triumph in His resurrection, and by faith we hold to Him as He who was dead, but is alive for evermore, our Saviour and our God.

The wise men were wise in that they put Christ first. It is wise for men to do what God has already done; God has given Christ the place of preeminence (Colossians 1:18). He has put Him first.

They put Christ first as an object of love.
They loved Him more than home and country. They left all to find Him.
They loved Him more than the esteem of men. Many, no doubt, ridiculed their going on this journey.
They loved Him more than business or wealth. They were wise men.

They Worshipped Christ

They were wise men in that they made Christ first as an object of worship. They worshipped Christ, not Mary. All honor is due the Virgin whom the Lord chose to be the mother of Jesus, but worship belongs only to God—and Christ is God, not Mary. They were wise in worshipping Him, and in allowing no person or idol to share adoration meant for God alone.

They were wise in that they put Christ first as a Master demanding allegiance and obedience. They chose Christ, not Herod. They chose the Babe of the manger rather than King Herod on his throne. So they chose by faith and not by sight. We also must choose. "Ye cannot serve two masters." We cannot serve God and mammon. We cannot serve Herod and Christ. The wise men were wise in choosing Christ.

They Gave Christ Their Best

They gave themselves. The gift without the giver is bare. They gave themselves. This was involved in their worship. Their worship had cost them separation from home and loved ones. It involved the risking of their lives, for they dared disobey Herod and not reveal the birthplace of the Christ child.

It is wisdom for us to give ourselves. Who can withhold himself from Him who gave Himself to be our Saviour?

They wisely gave their best gifts. And they were prophetic gifts, rich in spiritual symbolism. They spread out treasures of gold, acknowledging His deity and kingly character. Frankincense they gave, and myrrh. They saw Him a Prophet and a Priest—a Priest offering Himself as a sacrifice for us all. Thus they worshipped Him with their gifts. They were wise men.

Wise because they came to Him. Wise because they put Him first. Wise because they gave Him their best.

That Babe was God incarnate. He was the eternal Son of God come down to earth, to become a partaker of flesh and blood, that He might give His blood as a ransom price for the remission of sin (Matthew 26:28). He was Life coming to slay death by His death. He is the Saviour, the gentle Shepherd who cares for His own. He offers the forgiveness of sin, escape from eternal death, and a place in His own flock to all who will trust Him. Be wise and trust Him now.

—W.M.A.