Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)
Listen to this simple piano version as you read, or watch the video complete with lyrics then read. Please make certain to enjoy the video log below.
We continue our journey to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Having already looked at what the wise men left behind, we press in a little closer to examine what they are pursuing. As we do, ask yourself what you are going after. Let’s think about this.
Seeking Him
The wise men had come from the east, and we have no indication that they were previously God-fearers, non-Jewish believers. They had left some things behind in order to pursue the One whose birth the star proclaimed. They were not just leaving some things behind they were also going after something. What exactly? Or more precisely, Who?
They told Herod they were looking for the King of the Jews. Why would prominent Gentiles be seeking out a king who sits on a throne in lowly Israel? Well, as they said, they had seen His star and had come to worship Him. Yes, they had left some things behind but they were simultaneously pressing toward something greater.
They had come from other lands and nations to pursue One who would not only be King of the Jews, but so much more. Our hymn writer here describes Him as “the great Desire of nations”. Jesus describes Himself this way.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12ESV
He is not only the light of the Israel, He is the light of the world. We all were walking in the darkness of death until we discovered the light of life. The wise men are no different.
He is what are hearts long for. Light. Hope. Peace. Love. He is our desire, and the great Desire of the nations.
You may choose to argue that point, but you will not once you surrender and determine to seek Him. For once you seek Him, you will find Him, if you search with all your heart. [Jeremiah 29:13] And when you find Him you will know that He is what every person of every tribe and tongue truly desire.
So will you?
Will you determine to seek Him? On Tuesday we determined to to leave some things behind so we could pursue the better things God has for us. There is nothing better than Him, and a greater awareness of His presence in our lives. But it does not just come to us, we must determine to pursue it. How will you do that today? Prayer, Bible reading, worship, etc.? What discipline will you use to seek the great Desire of nations today?
In Response
But when we do seek, we must always acknowledge that even then we are simply responding to what He has already shown us of Himself. And that revelation has caused us too long for still more. Their search began with the star.
They saw the star when it rose. They knew it was significant. They responded in worship.
And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9b-10 ESV
The wise men left their contemplations. They pursued a star which appeared in the heavens. They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
What are you pursuing? Be honest. We are all going after something. Are you confident that your pursuit will end with you rejoicing exceedingly with great joy? We must be careful that the things we are chasing honor God and will ultimately produce good for us.
What has God shown to you? Has He revealed something to you to which you have yet to respond? It may require you to leave something behind. It will certainly require you to begin a journey of faith. But it will also absolutely be worth the sacrifice. What response is God inviting you to make today?
Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World, and the light of my life. Shine into my darkness so I can clearly see the path you are marking out before me. Give me the courage to leave behind what is not needful so that I may press into what is. In Jesus name. Amen.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Podcast 12.3 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Matthew 2:1-2 ESV
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
Wise men, or magi, came from the east. These learned men left their pursuit of knowledge to search for something even better. What might God be asking you to leave behind so you may know Him better this Christmas, or in the New Year? Will you follow His leading?
Brighter visions beam afar;
Matthew 2:2 ESV
Saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Maybe God has already given you a vision of a better future in your relationship with Him but you need to leave something behind to pursue it. Do you have a sense of your “brighter visions”? If not, ask God to open your eyes to them as He did for the wise men.
Seek the great Desire of nations;
John 8:12 ESV
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
So the magi used the star to lead them to the One who would later utter these words. They walked through darkness, but found the light of life, the light of the world. They were not Jewish so they demonstrate that the wisest among us from every nation desire Him. Will you?
Ye have seen His natal star.
Matthew 2:9b-10 ESV
And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
But just seeing the star is not enough. We must respond. The wise men journeyed long, and when they arrived at their destination rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. As you pursue Christ, expect the same kind of feeling. But make certain you are pursuing Him. Are you?
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
Image Attributions
Seeking – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/christmas-kings-christmas-time-934177/
Respond – https://pixabay.com/photos/nativity-star-manger-christmas-3674785/
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