Wise Men Still Seek Him

Deutsche Version

We had a Christmas Eve devotional in our church congregation today. The Christmas story was read, music was played and the congregation sang Christmas hymns. The Holy Ghost was present and testified of the truth and importance of Christ's birth. At the end I had the opportunity to address the assembly and say some concluding words. Here follow my concluding words:

We have heard different aspects of the Christmas story.

Mary, who received from the angel Gabriel the promise, that she would give birth to a child even though she had never known a man.

Joseph, to whom the angel appeared in a dream and who told him, that the child in Mary's belly came from God and that Mary was thereby faithful to him.

Jesus, the son of God, the king of kings, who was born in a stable and put in a manger.

The shepherds, who were watching their flocks nearby and to whom appeared an angel proclaiming the birth of Jesus.

And the wise men from the east, who followed the star to Bethlehem.

From each person we can learn something important. But I want to talk about three groups in particular: Mary, Joseph and the wise men from the east.

Mary had much faith in God and was submissive to the will of God. Maybe she knew what dangers or defamatory rumors would await her since she would receive a child, that was not from Joseph. And despite all that she said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38.¹) What an example for us!

Joseph too believed the Lord and did not annul the affiance to Mary. Instead he faced the defamatory rumors about him and her. He too followed God.

And also the wise men believed in God and sought him. They followed a star which led them to Bethlehem and they offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus. They gave unto God the best, what they could imagine.

The wise men of old sought Jesus. “[W]e seek Jesus the Christ, our Older Brother, our Mediator with the Father, our Redeemer, the Author of our salvation; He who was in the beginning with the Father; He who took upon Himself the sins of the world and so willingly died that we might forever live.”² And when we have found him, what will we give unto him? Does he really want gold, frankincense and myrrh? No! He wants our hearts, the treasure of our hearts, an earnest smile, earnest words of encouragement, earnest words that lift up, a helping hand which gives what our neighbors need. Love. Love to God and love to men. And who is my neighbor? Everyone. We should be compassionate to everyone and come closer (be nigh) to one another through acts of kindness and love.

Maybe the following poem describes best why we celebrate Christmas, and what we can learn from Mary, Joseph and the wise men:

„By the sweat of their brows, with their hands men earn bread
Among them are those that desire to be led
With spiritual eyesight sent from above,
They sense a sign pointing to He who is Love.
They carry forth gifts not fit for a king,
Through service they witness what hope, Emmanuel means.
The child of God they encounter is not found in a manger,
It’s the brother or sister they once viewed as a stranger.
As the star in the East led the wise men of old,
The Bread of Life leads wise men today to the hungry and cold.

And sends to the fatherless, the widow, the poor,
Earthly angels proclaiming His love evermore.
Precious gifts to the Christ child upon a holy night were once brought,
But wise men today a new thing are taught.
''Give unto others as Christ would have you give.''
Remember the season and echo the reason for His miraculous birth.“³

Pr. Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophet of the church, said:

“Christmas means giving. The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship. There is more to Christmas than neckties, earrings, toys, and all the tinseled stuff of which we make so much.”⁴

It is my prayer, that as we celebrate Christmas this year, that we do it with the right focus. That each one of us becomes a blessing, a gift to our neighbor who is in need. Then will we truly have a merry Christmas.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Mormon Message Video „Wise men still seek him“)⁵

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1Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng, 2013-12-29.

2Thomas S. Monson: "The Search for Jesus", in: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: New Era, December 2003. From: „Messages of inspiration from President Monson“, published Dec. 5, 2009, in: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Church News. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58282/Messages-of-inspiration-from-President-Monson.html, 2013-12-21, 21:54.

3Poet: Anonymus. Taken from the Mormon Message Video „Wise men still seek him“ 2011. Text taken from http://ldsmediatalk.com/2011/12/23/wise-men-still-seek-him/, 2013-12-21, 21:44.

4Pr. Gordon B. Hinckley: ''What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ.'' In: Ensign, Dec. 1983. http://www.lds.org/ensign/1983/12/what-shall-i-do-then-with-jesus-which-is-called-christ?lang=eng, 2013-12-22, 18:48.

5Mormon Message Video „Wise men still seek him“ 2011. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-019-wise-men-still-seek-him?lang=eng, 2013-12-29.