From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Parents,
The Christmas story, as we are familiar with it, is told in two places in the Bible: Matthew 2 and Luke 2. Luke presents the details of Christ’s birth from a human experience. Matthew presents the birth of Christ as King. As King, Jesus the Christ-child was worthy to be worshiped as such. It is under this theme that we find the visit of the wise men to the little town of Bethlehem.
Matthew tells us that when Christ was born, wise men from the East came initially to Jerusalem because they had seen His star in their homeland and were come to worship Him. They were from the Orient, the area of ancient Persia. Wise men in ancient times typically were astronomers and astrologers, because in that day science and mythology deeply mixed with each other. But in addition to having skill in the sciences, they were also well-learned in math, history, architecture, and agriculture. Not to mention, these men were politically savvy and held a great deal of sway in the political arena of their countries. They were very powerful and wealthy men, which is why the New Testament refers to them as magi (“great ones”).
But their arrival in Jerusalem was not born out of some stroke of chance. They knew the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, especially those written in the book of Daniel. You see, Daniel himself was a wise man (cf. Dan. 2:13). When Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 605 B.C., he took the best and brightest young men with him to Babylon to train them in the ways of the Chaldeans for Babylon’s benefit. However, Daniel never wavered in his godliness. As a young man, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat nor with the wine which he drank. Even in the face of death, Daniel stood firm in his worship of God. He interpreted dreams, stood before the king, and helped guide two empires in governmental affairs. You could say that he was a cabinet member of multiple administrations. He also wrote the book of Daniel, which contains wonderful prophecies about the ages to come and about Messiah the Prince, who was to come. Daniel was highly respected, mainly for his godliness.
This respect outlived Daniel. Over 500 years later, wise men were still looking to their mentor and the prophecies he wrote. What an influence a godly example can have on the current generation and on generations to come! This can be a great encouragement and motivation to believers to live strongly for the Lord. What made Daniel’s life so influential was that the Scriptures he loved were the Scriptures he lived. Daniel’s life fit harmoniously with the Word of God, and those around him knew it. I believe Nebuchadnezzar converted at the end of his life, and I also believe Daniel’s testimony played a part in that. And over 500 years later, wise men came from the East, knowing who Messiah was and offering gifts consistent with His nature and ministry.
What a wonderful lesson in the affects of living for the Lord. If you are saved, be the salt and light God intends you to be. Don’t compromise Christianity, don’t fit in with the world thinking you will have greater ministry as a result, and don’t hide your light under a bushel. Take heart! Influence your children and your grandchildren and those around you. And know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Sincerely,
Pastor Sutton
Dear Parents,
The Christmas story, as we are familiar with it, is told in two places in the Bible: Matthew 2 and Luke 2. Luke presents the details of Christ’s birth from a human experience. Matthew presents the birth of Christ as King. As King, Jesus the Christ-child was worthy to be worshiped as such. It is under this theme that we find the visit of the wise men to the little town of Bethlehem.
Matthew tells us that when Christ was born, wise men from the East came initially to Jerusalem because they had seen His star in their homeland and were come to worship Him. They were from the Orient, the area of ancient Persia. Wise men in ancient times typically were astronomers and astrologers, because in that day science and mythology deeply mixed with each other. But in addition to having skill in the sciences, they were also well-learned in math, history, architecture, and agriculture. Not to mention, these men were politically savvy and held a great deal of sway in the political arena of their countries. They were very powerful and wealthy men, which is why the New Testament refers to them as magi (“great ones”).
But their arrival in Jerusalem was not born out of some stroke of chance. They knew the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, especially those written in the book of Daniel. You see, Daniel himself was a wise man (cf. Dan. 2:13). When Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 605 B.C., he took the best and brightest young men with him to Babylon to train them in the ways of the Chaldeans for Babylon’s benefit. However, Daniel never wavered in his godliness. As a young man, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat nor with the wine which he drank. Even in the face of death, Daniel stood firm in his worship of God. He interpreted dreams, stood before the king, and helped guide two empires in governmental affairs. You could say that he was a cabinet member of multiple administrations. He also wrote the book of Daniel, which contains wonderful prophecies about the ages to come and about Messiah the Prince, who was to come. Daniel was highly respected, mainly for his godliness.
This respect outlived Daniel. Over 500 years later, wise men were still looking to their mentor and the prophecies he wrote. What an influence a godly example can have on the current generation and on generations to come! This can be a great encouragement and motivation to believers to live strongly for the Lord. What made Daniel’s life so influential was that the Scriptures he loved were the Scriptures he lived. Daniel’s life fit harmoniously with the Word of God, and those around him knew it. I believe Nebuchadnezzar converted at the end of his life, and I also believe Daniel’s testimony played a part in that. And over 500 years later, wise men came from the East, knowing who Messiah was and offering gifts consistent with His nature and ministry.
What a wonderful lesson in the affects of living for the Lord. If you are saved, be the salt and light God intends you to be. Don’t compromise Christianity, don’t fit in with the world thinking you will have greater ministry as a result, and don’t hide your light under a bushel. Take heart! Influence your children and your grandchildren and those around you. And know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Sincerely,
Pastor Sutton