Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - 11 Days & Ways To Have A Merry ChristmasSample

We Three Kings

Mathew 2:1-2, 9-11 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they came into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

The Christmas carol “We Three Kings" was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. Hopkins wanted to be a lawyer and was on that path when he heard the call to become a priest within the Episcopal Church.  

He went to the General Theological Seminary in New York City, and it was there that he wrote this song for a musical.  It caught on and was published and heralded as the first American Christmas carol.  Up until that time, most songs performed at Christmas were from the Old World; so this song holds a special place in American history.  

I didn’t know until recently that the Bible never says they were three kings.  It does say they were “wise” and they were from the “East” (Orient); so therefore, Hopkins could have factually called the song, “We Wise Guys from the East Side.”

There are actually different factual accounts of the Christmas story, and for that matter the story of the life of Christ, within the four Gospels. Some use these facts to say the Bible is not accurate.  I, however, see it as a way of knowing it is, in fact, true and reliable. The different perspectives coming from the four authors tell us that they did not get together and say, “Hey, let’s get our ‘facts’ straight.”  Nope!  That is not how you get to truth and receive an honest account of an event.  

My point is:  don’t let the nuance of facts get in the way of truth.

You would think after Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation over 500 years ago that we would have figured out enough facts of Christian living to stay in community together.  Of course, that has not happened and we keep splintering.  Why?  I really think it is this simple: we all have different views of facts that we hold true; and when a brother or sister in Christ sees it differently, we lose the desire to be in relationship with them.  It is just easier to separate and move on. 

Imagine this story line…

Upon your arrival through the pearly gates the Lord says, “Well, hello Mike!  Welcome to heaven!  Your room is next door to Charlie.  Enjoy forever together.”  

“Wait, Lord!” Mike replies. “Charlie is a Methodist-Democrat, and I am a Republican-Baptist. How is this going to work?” 

If I were God, my response would be, “Wait, wait, wait! There are a whole lot more people here than you ever thought, so I’m actually going to need you guys to share a room.  Welcome to paradise, buddy!”  

Of course, I’m being ridiculous.  But what if that scenario stood a chance of happening?  Would that change the way you interact with people in this life?  Just asking...

This Christmas, for a few days, suspend all arguments and try to find some common ground.  Just try it!  You might find that you will be able to allow more people into your inner circle than you really wanted to include. You might find that they are actually human. The story of Christmas was all about God including us into His circle of love.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were always together in a movement of love and giving.  They moved time and space to create us and to include us. 

This Christmas see if you can agree on these 12 articles.  It is believed to be one of the most ancient creeds (statement of shared beliefs) of the Church. It is believed that the 12 apostles each contributed to this creed. Maybe it was in effort to bring all the believers together instead of splintering off.  Who knows for sure, but I’d like to think that was a fact.  In any case, see if you can agree on these and use them as the star to guide you this Christmas:

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
5. He descended to the dead.  On the third day, He rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy Catholic Church (Hold on, my Protestant friends, this is Catholic meaning one body of believers that Christ is building, not a denomination as we view it today.  The word literally means universal, on the whole.), the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the body,
12. and the life everlasting.

Now more than ever, we need the Body of Christ to come together and realize who we are and what we are called to be.  Argue the facts later!  For one holy night let us “be wise” and leave our land of functional facts, ways, and means and come and worship the one Lord and Savior.  

Prayer:

Oh Father, just like the wise men from the Far East,

Guide us to Thy perfect light.

Make us wise, Make us one.

Amen.