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Who were the heavenly host on the first Christmas

Recently, at our community group, we were discussing the Advent story in Luke 2, in particular the angelic appearance to the shepherds out in the field near Bethlehem.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:8-15

Who or what was this heavenly host that appeared with the angel? They are the army of God.

One source says this, “The heavenly hosts are angels who dwell in the presence of God. The heavenly host is described as a multitude or army of angels serving God, though the term can also include fallen angels, as seen in 1 Kings 22:19–22. The heavenly host appears at the announcement of Jesus’ birth, where a multitude of angels praise God (Luke 2:13 14). Believers are promised that they will one day dwell with these heavenly hosts in God’s kingdom (Hebrews 12:22–24)…”

As a group, we chatted about what that scene might have looked like and considered some Old Testament passages.

Were the hosts dressed as a conventional army of the day? Were they garbed in light? Did they wear anything at all? Were they like the strange beings seen in Ezekiel’s Vision or some of the parts of Revelation? Did they have wings?

It was pure speculation, because the Bible doesn’t tell us. In at least one passage, a member of the host looked human.

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13-15

Whatever they look like, just as they announced the first coming of Jesus, they will accompany Him on His return.

And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. Revelation 19:14

The host of Heaven announced His return, and they are returning with the Lord as a conquering army. Are you ready?

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

Also a Christmas theme

Christmas Carol – Saved but not by a trio of ghosts

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Read the Word. Read the Word. Read the Word.

Waiting – A Teen Runaway Reminds Me of Mary

16 December 2025
Called to right beliefs and right living

I have spent some time recently on a relatively new (at least to me) social media platform, reading the “Christian” post section and follow-up comments.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was astounded by the range of error, heresy, and just plain biblically illiterate posts there are. Some of the posts are from people genuinely seeking guidance or information, but most make me shake my head.

Like any form of social media, it was filled with plenty of people who hold the view, “my mind is made up, don’t clutter it with facts or truth.”

Every cliche and trope imaginable is out there.

The Bible has too many, or too few, books. The church has deliberately hidden books from the Bible. You can only trust that person’s favorite translation. You can’t trust any translation and must read it in the original languages.

If you don’t belong to a specific denomination, you are going to hell.

The cults are out recruiting. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Latter-day Saints are trolling for the unwary. Other weird groups I had never even heard of are doing the same.

The Roman Catholics and Protestants are busy bashing each other. Still, neither side has any understanding of church history, or what their own position actually believes, let alone what the opposition thinks. Now, there is a lot to debate, but it should be done in love and with understanding.

The God of Islam is the same as the God of Christianity.

Everyone is going to be saved, or no one needs saving. Hell isn’t real.

The range of poor understanding and deliberate twisting of Scripture is nothing short of phenomenal.

The church worship wars still rage, with only the poster’s personal choice of music being from God, and everything else is from Satan.

The doctrine of salvation by faith is disputed. You need to add various combinations of church membership, tithing, good works, baptism, and more to be saved, at least according to many posters who claim to be believers.

Church buildings are too simple, too extravagant, or not needed at all.

This one hurt my head, “I don’t believe in God, but I’m a Christian because I follow the teachings of Christ.” I think it was George Bernard Shaw who initially said it, but it still boggles my mind.

I could carry on and list all the heresies that have plagued the church, and every conceivable form of divisiveness, but I think you can get a sense of things from what I have said.

The apostle Paul would need to be writing corrective letters nonstop and employing a huge ministry team to deal with it all. We’re as messy as the first-century church, and every century since then. The church is messy because it’s filled with redeemed sinners and incomplete knowledge, but it remains God’s church.

If you ever needed proof that God was loving and patient, look no further than the church. Only God could keep such a messed-up, disparate group of people somehow functioning together despite our flaws and best intentions.

There isn’t a church group or a Christian alive who hasn’t got at least some part of the picture wrong.

Now, it isn’t proper theology that saves us. Yet, being saved is just the entry point to becoming all Christ calls us to. We are called to grow in knowledge, understanding, faith, and love.

We are called to both right beliefs and right living; both orthodoxy and orthopraxy are huge.

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Let’s have the beliefs and lives that Christ calls us to. Let’s strive together to represent the hope and image of Jesus better.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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You might check out:

Credo, I believe – Right beliefs and right living are both important

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

You might want to read:

# Right Belief Must Become Right Living

15 December 2025
Flood Waters – Perseverance in times of trial

I live in Abbotsford, BC (the Lower Mainland,) and about a 5-minute drive from the US Border. We’ve been under an atmospheric river for some days, with more to come. (Image is not mine, credit to the photographer)

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines atmospheric rivers as “… relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere – like rivers in the sky – that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics. While atmospheric rivers can vary greatly in size and strength, the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Exceptionally strong atmospheric rivers can transport up to 15 times that amount. .…) When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow.

That means it’s been raining cats and dogs (and horses and cows and who knows what all else). The area has been experiencing flooding. Every route into the interior of the province is closed due to flood, rockslides, or mudslides. Washington State, to the immediate south of us, is having an even worse time.

We’re in no danger. For the flooding to reach us where we live, I’d expect the neighbor to be building a huge boat and to see unclean animals coming by in pairs and clean ones in sevens. Still, it’s inconvenient for us and devastating for many, some of whom are still recovering from the 2021 flooding.

Floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters are a simple fact of life in a fallen world. They have come about as a consequence of the sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:17-19, 5:29).

Like us, creation waits for the final culmination of all things when our Lord returns.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:18-25

There is a promised time when such things shall be no more. All will be set right, and we will be with God forever. The curse will be lifted, and creation will no longer groan in agony.

Hold fast, my dear friends. His return is imminent, and all will be restored. We can’t predict the timing, for only the Father knows, but we can rest assured that He will keep His promises.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

You might also enjoy

An Atmospheric River – Thoughts on the biblical flood

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

Some thoughts on the Christian Life

# Right Belief Must Become Right Living

12 December 2025
River Rescue – thoughts on the gospel

The news headline read “Missing Fisherman Found After Six Days.”

The story went on to tell of a fisherman who had fallen into a deep ravine, broken his arm and his legs, and survived on insects and water until another hiker heard his cries for help.

“I made some big mistakes,” he told the reporters. “First off, I did not tell anyone where I was going or when I would be back. That meant no one knew that I was missing or where to even begin looking for me if they did.”

“The other big mistake was trying to get down to the river, where I did. I knew the ravine walls were steep, but the fishing looked so good down there that I just had to try. I hadn’t gone down more than about ten feet from the top when I knew I was in trouble, but there was no way to get back up.”

“I lost my balance and fell. I bounced off a couple of big trees and some rocks. The next thing I knew I was coming to down by the river’s edge. After a few days, I was starting to give up hope, but then I heard someone singing up top and called for help. Thank God he heard me and went for the rescue people.”

The fisherman was lucky. He got out of the mess alive, but he will carry the scars all the days of his life.

We are not all that different. The temptation of sin draws us into places we know we should not be, and suddenly we find ourselves unable (or unwilling) to turn back and plummet down until we hit bottom.

We hurt ourselves and others along the way, leaving physical, emotional, and spiritual scars in our wake. Broken marriages, ruined businesses, addictions, and other devastating consequences of our poor choices haunt us.

When we accept Christ, we are forgiven and become new creations.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Sometimes, even though we are made new, we carry the scars of the old life. We may have been forgiven the eternal consequences of our sin, but that does not give us an automatic “Get out of jail free” card for this life.

Even after we become believers, we can still fall prey to temptation and make poor choices. God will rescue us, but there may be fresh and permanent scars to remind us of our folly or to warn others against making the same mistake.

Until next time, when you hear temptation calling, walk away. The bottom can be a long way down, and the landing can be very painful.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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Gospel of Grace – Free in Christ

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

Further thought os the gospel

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

When You’re Drowning in Sin, Call on Your Heavenly Lifeguard

11 December 2025
What is the church? The hands and feet of Jesus.

If you ask people, “What is the church?” they will most likely tell you about a building somewhere nearby. They might even know the name or the denominational (or non-denominational) affiliation of the building.

Some people might be familiar with the service times or some of the better-known programs the church offers.

If there is more than one, they will likely know something about the differences and have a preference. They might have questions about why there are two or three churches within several blocks of one another. It’s a valid question.

There is a sense in which those answers are correct because we often talk about going to church, i.e., the place we gather for corporate worship.

So,, what is the church?

Someone once wrote (I can’t find a source), “Church people and God’s people are not the same thing. Church people go to church. God’s people are the church.” We are the hands and feet of Jesus.

That’s a huge difference. The church visible, are all those who attend a church or claim an affiliation with a church, and all the buildings, programs, and baggage that entails. They may or may not be Christians.

The church invisible is the true body of Christ, all believers in every culture through all of time. The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which means “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of church is not a building, but people.

Paul makes it clear that the church and the meeting place are not the same thing. “Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” Romans 16:5

As believers, we are the church.

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13

When we start to think things like “the church ought to do something about that” or “someone from the church ought to,” it’s time to look inside ourselves. Are we being prompted by the Spirit to do something?

If that something is too large for one person to tackle, we could join with others to get it done.

The church isn’t a building. The church certainly isn’t perfect, after all, it is comprised of redeemed sinners in the process of being more Christ-like.

Still, it’s the avenue Jesus chose to bring His message of help and hope to the world.

There is a very real purpose to the church. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, guided by the Word and the indwelling Spirit to do His work.

What an incredible responsibility! What an incredible privilege! We do what we can do, and the Lord does the rest.

My friends, let us boldly BE the church.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

You might find this interesting

The Church has a blessed future

Finding a Good Church

Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Some thoughts on finding a good church

Find a good church

Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.

10 December 2025
Christ uses ordinary people and ordinary days

My brain is foggy this morning, so I have opted to pull a back issue out of the archives. This issue originally appeared in September 2005.

The house is quiet. The only sounds are the buzz of my laptop’s power supply and the dripping/gurgling of the coffee pot. My eldest son, Kris, was off to his full-time job before I awoke. He works both a full-time and a part-time job at the moment. Kathy is awakening for work, and soon Kyle will be getting up for school.

Tigger the cat came by my office for a quick visit, then went back to bed. Genni the wonder dog is sitting expectantly beside me. She shared my bagel and cream cheese and is hoping in vain that there might be more.

Brief intermission in the narration as Kevin goes to get his morning cup of coffee.

It’s a good cup. Sometimes in the morning, I’m not the best at counting the number of scoops so that the first taste can be an adventure. I must have measured right today.

So what?

Well, the subtitle of this daily devotional is “Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life.” You just caught a snapshot from our very ordinary lives. We’re ordinary, everyday people having an ordinary day. We’re just “plain folk”. Some would even say we’re boring, but I prefer the term “content”.

The good news is that God works through very ordinary people in everyday life.

Moses was an aging shepherd with a warrant out for his arrest for murder. Abraham was an aging businessman. Gideon worked secretly in the family winepress out of fear. David tended sheep. The disciples were an odd combination of blue-collar workers, petty criminals, and zealots.

It’s the power of our righteous and holy God who transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

The all powerful God of creation could have accomplished His goals in any way He wished. Yet He chose to give us the blessing of participating with Him. He’s given you and me, ordinary people, the task of sharing His love with the world. He’s made us to be salt and light to a dark world.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

That means that while our lives may be ordinary and while the world may think we’re ordinary, we’re truly extraordinary people. Not because of who we are but because we’ve allowed a holy God to accomplish His work through us.

You are an instrument of peace, love, joy, and transformation. Absolutely nothing short of God Himself could be less ordinary.

The flip side of the coin is that we never know what ordinary people are being used in extraordinary ways by God. That behooves us (I know behooves is a dated word, but I love the sound of it) to treat all people as if they were special in the eyes of God. We have no reason not to do so.

Until next time, I pray you get a grasp of how truly extraordinary and how valuable you are for all eternity when Jesus works through you, and may you learn to see all people as He sees them.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

9 December 2025
Issue 1865 – Joy – Decmeber 8, 2025

Yesterday was the second Sunday in the Advent countdown. At our local assembly, a family read a passage about joy and lit the candle of joy.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

Joy is an interesting word.

One word study says this about it, “xaírō (from the root xar-, “favorably disposed, leaning towards” and cognate with 5485 /xáris, “grace”) – properly, to delight in God’s grace (“rejoice”) – literally, to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace.”

I love the last sentence where joy is described as “literally to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace.”

Kevin’s paraphrase “to know and experience the grace of God and to fully delight in it.” This joy exceeds superficial happiness; it comes from deep within. It transcends circumstances, and we can rejoice in the Lord no matter what.

Joy isn’t frivolous; it comes from deep in our experience with God and His unfathomable grace and mercy.

It’s why Paul can say,

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Our joy isn’t based on a transient feeling, on our “stars aligning,” or on some vague hope. It’s based on knowing we are safe in the hands of the one who will never let us go and will never disappoint.

Our joy is grounded in the one whose Son stepped out of heaven, incarnated as an infant, lived a sin-free life, was rejected, mocked, tortured, and killed. The grave could not hold Him; He walked out of it alive, with death and the grave defeated. He was seen by 1,000s and ascended into heaven. He’s returning for His church.

That’s cause for joy. Joy unspeakable. Joy continuously. Joy uncontainable.

Joy, joy, joy, down in my heart to stay.

Let everything that has breath rejoice and praise the Lord.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

8 December 2025
The Fallout – the Bethlehem massacre

In the last of our three-part series about the wise men who visited Christ, we look at the fallout from their visit.’ the massacre of Bethlehem.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18

Herod the Great, ruler of the Kingdom of Judea, has been praised for his building projects (including rebuilding the temple), but also known for his rule by tyranny and violence.

It would not have been out of character for him to slaughter a few Jewish children if he thought one of them might be a threat to his rule. The event isn’t recorded outside the Bible, but the slaughter of perhaps a few dozen children in those days wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It wouldn’t likely have been significant enough to record.

It wasn’t a surprise to God. God knew that during the Bethlehem massacre, innocent lives would be taken in response to the birth of Jesus. He warned of it centuries before it happened. I have no doubt those innocents are safely with Jesus now.

The slaughter shows us the great lengths the enemy will go to in keeping Jesus from His rightful place. He may have influenced Herod, or Herod’s own insecurities and nature may have led to this tragedy with no outside influence.

The evil in our hearts knows no bounds. We are repulsed by the thought of the slaughter of the innocents, but perhaps in Herod’s place, we might have done the same thing.

This tragic event reminds us that evil cannot win. Christ triumphed even over death and the grave. Through Him, we can have reconciliation to the Father.

That’s worth rejoicing for.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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At the Stable – A Chistmas story

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

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Read the Word. Read the Word. Read the Word.

5 December 2025
The Gifts of the Wise Men Explained

Yesterday, I wrote about the number of Magi who attended Jesus a year or so after he was born. I mentioned the fact that their visit was a fulfillment of prophecy, but also prophetic.

I showed where they were prophetic fulfillment, but not how they were prophetic. Let’s consider that today.

We know that the magi (not kings) brought gifts. We don’t know how many gifts they brought, but the Scriptures tell us of three.

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:7-12

At a minimum, these distinguished visitors brought an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Each of these gifts tells us something about the Christ.

Gold was costly and was generally not given to commoners. God was often a symbol for deity, and pagans covered their idols with it. Even the Ark of the Covenant was covered in gold (Exodus 25:10-17). God was a gift for the gods. Jesus is God.

One source says of the frankincense, “Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34).”

Frankincense symbolizes holiness and righteousness. In a few short years, Christ would give himself up as an offering for sin.

Myrrh is a spice similar to frankincense that was often used as an embalming spice. That drink was given to Christ on the cross (Mark 15:23, Matthew 27:34). It symbolizes affliction and suffering. Our Lord was afflicted and suffered on the cross when he was crucified.

The gifts of the wise men acknowledged his kingship and pointed to his death and suffering.

They may not have been believers, but God used the astrologers/astronomers from the east to reveal who His Son is.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

4 December 2025
Christmas – Kings or Wise men?

With Christmas drawing near, much of my Bible reading and meditation has focused on the incarnation of Jesus and the events surrounding it. This morning, I was in Matthew 2, “The Visit of the Wise Men.” It’s a passage that fulfills prophecy and is prophetic in itself, but is often misunderstood. We need to actually do some Bible reading and look at context.

There is far too much to cover in detail in one Gleanings, so for this morning allow me to touch on one key point.

How many kings were there? None. Let’s read the first few verses.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1-3

The text says “wise men”. In Greek, it is μάγοι, which refers to wizards, magicians, and astrologers or astronomers. These were learned men from the east, most likely from Persia, who studied the works of other religions and were familiar with the Jewish prophecies from Daniel’s time in Babylon.

The text tells us who they were and why they had come. Yet there is no indication of their number. It’s often assumed that because three gifts are recorded in Scripture (gold, frankincense, myrrh), there were three visitors.

Church tradition varies regarding the number, ranging from 2 to more than 20. Some traditions even have names for the Magi, although none appear in the text.

It’s doubtful that these wise men from Persia travelled alone. They would have come in a caravan that included attendants, apprentices, armed guards, and more.

Some sources suggest that since the Magi were high officials in the court of Babylon, the caravan could have been as many as 1,000 men and 100 camels. That’s possible, but it seems overstated to me; even if there were three magi, there would have been support, and I can’t envision a caravan of less than a few dozen.

Indeed, the caravan was large enough to cause concern among the residents of Jerusalem. Three lone scholars wouldn’t have been noticed, let alone granted access to King Herod. The party must have been large enough to warrant notice.

Whatever their number, they came seeking the Christ child and knew of the star. Their arrival confirms a prophecy of old.

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17

The Magi may have been looking specifically for that star based on a prophecy in Daniel about the timing of Christ’s coming..

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Daniel 9:24

Whatever the number of Magi who came, they confirm the good news of Jesus’ birth. He set aside the privileges due Him and stepped into the material world as an infant. He came to die for us.

Let’s remember Him this season and every day.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

Silent Night – Only it wasn’t – the heaven’s rejoiced

3 December 2025