Matthew 2:1-23 KJV
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 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.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 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.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

"Star of wonder, star night, star of royal beauty bright, westward leading still proceeding. Guide us to that perfect light". We Three Kings by John Henry Hopkins Christmas Caroles writen in 1957 found in most older Hymnal. I sure in most newer books too. Mary had moved into a house some scholars believe he may of been about two years old when Wise men came after first speaking to King Herod. This was the reason being the King decree to kill all baby boys from age two and under, when the wise men did not return to tell him where the child was located. Being based on when the star first appeared to the wise men. God's warning in a dream to the only outsider of Israel tge Wise Men, who bowed at the feet of knew born king that is recorded. Yet God's protection not on Israel children causes many to shiver woth fear and wonder why? God would be one day allowing the killing of his Son for the people of the world is one reason. Who was Herod but a chosen king of Roman authority. The warning of allowing man to rule God's people might be a good clue why this happen. Choosing a governing king instead of God to rule his people, beginning at the time of King Saul.

Man's ruler though it was not country of Israel's king in power or choice. Cost would be children of the land, the wives, son's and daughters to the king. It was one power head of another country that stopped at the palace and desired to know where this new king was born as King of the Jews. Herod had no knowledge bur believed the wise men and Israel's Chief Priest and scribes were asked about where this baby would be born. Even Chief Priest would desire Jesus to be killed one day. The normacy of rulers from a distant land visiting was part of God's plan. Yet we ate given a chance to see also a side of God, man never wants to see. God allowing evil to harm his people for a purpose and to fulfill prophesy of Matthew 2:18 "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not".

Loss of children perhaps blinded many that day to the fact the Messiah was born. Joseph and Mary with Baby Jesus escaping to Egypt would one day return to Mary's home in Nazareth when God told Joseph in dream to return. God gave Joseph three dreams of him speaking and each time Joseph was sent traveling. One to take Mary as his wife and not to know her til Jesus was born, two to take flight because the king was going to try and kill Jesus, and third to return to Nazareth. God protection on his chosen parents for his son.

Now what happen with the wise men visitation, because it also came with a warning, it came with the promise hope of Israelites and Gentiles salvation through Jesus as well. The gifts the king gave was gold, frankinsence, and myrrh. All things necessary in taking care of a new baby with traveling money to boot for the new family. God even prepared them for the journey. Royal status of being a foreign king in his own homeland perhaps kept the Wise Men returning to Pharaoh or in hope that he think they never found him.

This Christmas is special if nothing but the reminder how God's will and purpose is even fulfilled in his warnings even on his people as well as strangers. God's will is awesome if you are shelter by the protection of his word. Who are you aligning your heart and faith with this Christmas. Are you intune with his word that you will take God's warning serious as well as talking his salvation message as faith as being true.

Dear Heavenly Father may you instill your will, word and purpose in our life as a believer on our heart. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Jeremiah 31:15 KJV
15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

1 Samuel 8:9-18 KJV
9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.