Matthew 2:1-6.         

The Christmas gift was opened. It was a beautiful, framed picture of a lake with trees around it and mountains in the background. There was a three-word caption at the bottom of the landscape that said, “Give God Time.” Amazingly, the whole thing was a real clock with hands that moved as a part of the artwork.

Advent means “to come” and typically refers to a long period of waiting. These four weeks in the Christian calendar represent the 400 silent years between Malachi and John the Baptist.

The prophet Daniel had foretold that it would be “seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens'” (9:25)—a period of time that some have interpreted as 490 years—from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem in his time until the “Anointed One” would come. The magi came from the east and were likely astronomers, those who studied the stars, looking especially for signs to interpret the times.

The magi may have traveled for as long as two years to worship the Christ child (see 2:16). We, too, must learn to give God time.

Author: Clark Armstrong