Since we’ve been looking at the shepherds and their role in the Christmas story, it wouldn’t be fair to leave out the wise men, who were technically known as Magi. Though history seems to have recorded that there were three of them, the Bible doesn’t tell us how many of these travelers from the east actually came to find Jesus. One thing we do know is that they were not Jewish but were probably from the region of modern Iran, Iraq, or Saudi Arabia. Though they weren’t necessarily kings, they were men of great learning who studied the stars and were well-versed in science and math. Since they brought gifts, we can assume that their scholarly prowess afforded them wealth, and it’s entirely possible that they also had servants with them on the journey. No matter how many came, the prestige with which they approached is a stark contrast to the humility and plainness of the shepherds who found Jesus on the night of His birth. Yet from the beginning, He was the Savior of all. 

Friend, it’s always good to remember that the love of Jesus doesn’t discriminate. From the moment He came, both Jews and Gentiles were welcome at His cradle, because no one was to be excluded by the cross. When mankind fell into sin, God dispatched a plan of redemption, and His Son came to earth as a baby that first Christmas to redeem everyone. When you are tempted to consider yourself better than another human being, remember that our Lord’s death and resurrection were the great equalizers and that His grace doesn’t leave anyone out when they choose to receive His gift.