13/01/2013
Bonjour mes amis!
Upon our arrival in Spain last weekend, we discovered that we had arrived in Madrid for a rather big weekend...Festival of the Three Kings. It is celebrated on January 6, and we were there to see, first hand, how this is celebrated by the people of Madrid. (I'll share more on that another day.)
When we returned to our Hotel Room in the afternoon on the 6th, this is what we found in our room...a kind note (written in both Spanish and English) and a package of chocolates. It was from the Hotel to wish us a Happy Epiphany, and to thank us for staying with them during such special dates.
First of all, let me give you a little background on this Three Kings thing...
This Celebration stems from the account of Jesus' life in Matthew 2:1-12.
"
1
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
2
"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews ? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
3
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4
Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5
They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea ; for this is what has been written by the prophet :
6
'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG
THE LEADERS OF JUDAH ; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL
SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.' "
7
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
8
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully
for the Child ; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too
may come and worship Him."
9
After hearing the king, they went their way ; and the star, which
they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood
over the place where the Child was.
10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His
mother ; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening
their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh.
12
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way."
Americans celebrate Christmas on December 25 at Jesus' birth. The people of Spain celebrate this visit of the Magi bearing gifts to Jesus. It is wonderful for us all to give gifts, and show love to those we love and care about, let's always remember, though...
The True Gift really is Jesus Christ!
May we all do as the Magi did in verses 10 & 11, and rejoice exceedingly with great joy...and fall to the ground and worship Him!
Blessings,
Jan
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