“THE SIGN OF GOD”
“He gave birth to his firstborn son, and wrapped him in diapers, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
(Luke 2: 7) “
,(The magicians) worshiped him; and opening their treasures, they offered him presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
(Matthew 2:11)
The shepherds did not receive anything extraordinary, wonderful, or special as a sign when the angel announced the birth of JESUS. They were only going to see a boy lying in a manger. The sign of GOD was that child born among the poor.
The first to see that sign were, then, these shepherds. JESUS entered into human poverty so that the poor could find him near them. It is not that the poor are better than others, but GOD looks at them, and JESUS came to where they were. “God is great, but does not dismiss anyone” (Job 36: 5)
The shepherds could see the child JESUS and left full of joy, of praise. They were the first witnesses of JESUS.
Then the magicians, rich in intelligence, money and knowledge, were also called to see JESUS. They had to go a long way. They brought him gold, symbol of his Glory of KING; incense, symbol of his Excellency, being GOD, and myrrh, image of the sufferings that he would have to endure in his human condition. They offered all this to the child and prostrated themselves before Him.
The worship of JESUS is expressed, both by the poor and by the rich, in gratitude and humility, because JESUS, taking the form of a man. “He stripped himself” (Philippians 2: 7)
Dear LORD, thank you for revealing to us your Eternal Glory, and coming to this place where we could finally see GOD and know Him as Immanuel, that is, “God with us.” In the name of JESÚS. Amen and Amen.
