The Three Kings on Epiphany

The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts
Psalms 72:10

January 6 is celebrated as the Feast of Epiphany, in keeping with the tradition that the Three Wise Men from the East arrived to worship the Baby Jesus on this day. It is called Epiphany to express the “appearing” of the Saviour to the Gentiles.

"The people that walked in darkness

have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.”
Isaiah 9:2

The wise men figures are usually the ones that are dressed in fabulous robes and head dress. More nativity scenes include these three figures than the shepherds. There are even designs of the three as a stand-alone artifacts. A new section of the nativity gallery is a display of wise men figurines and ornaments.

We see various materials -- plastic canvas, burlap and sequins,

Various sizes...

Various formats

Ornaments are hung on a lighted garland:

A small book in the collection is The Gifts of the Magi: Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.

In the slipcase along with the book are samples of the wise men's gifts:
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh:

These precious gifts provided financial assistance as the Family had to flee to Egypt. But they also symbolized tribute to the long awaited Messiah from foreign lands:

The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores

will bring tribute to him;

the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts
Psalms 72:10 NIV

One of my Christmas gifts from my sister and brother-in-law was The Original Gifts of Christmas, a folder from the Holy Land Experience in Daytona, FL. Inside are samples of the three gifts.

They also sent me an ornament with the Wise Men and the Baby Jesus:

I have a particular fascination with the three wise men as part of the nativity story. I love to consider the Bible texts that show God’s interest in people from all parts of the world.

“ ‘Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth’ ”
Isa. 45: 22 NIV

For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life
John 3:16 NIV

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John 2:2 NIV

Here there is no Greek or Jew,
circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,
but Christ is all, and is in all.
Colossians 3:11 NIV

The biggest news of the nativity story is that the Baby Jesus was sent to make an even playing field and to offer eternal success for any person who chooses Him as their Saviour.

For more Word-filled Wednesday posts, please go to Amy at The 160 Acre Wood.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Matthew 2:9

Batik wall hanging from India

…and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them

until it stopped over the place where the child was.
Matt. 2:9

The Star of Bethlehem is an important motif in the story of Christ’s nativity. What a wonderful symbol of the Light that had been born into the world – Jesus, the Savior of His people.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

WordFilled Wednesday – Micah 5:2

Department 56 Little Town of Bethlehem 1987

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me

One who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Micah 5:2 NIV

The town of Bethlehem has been celebrated in beloved carols such as "O Little Town of Bethlehem." In 1987 Department 56 produced a version of Little Town of Bethlehem. It consisted of three lighted buildings and various figures.

Then in 2000 a much more extensive set of Little Town of Bethlehem was produced by Department 56. This has many more buildings and figures available, thus it provides much more choice for adding to the set each year it was produced.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amy.

WordFilled Wednesday – Galatians 4:4,5

Babe for Castagna nativity, Italy

But when the time had fully come,
God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
to redeem those under law,
that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Galatians 4:4,5

What a wonderful thought…Jesus came to us to give us the joy of being children of God.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

WordFilled Wednesday – Luke 2:12

Rinconada Nativity - Made In Uruguay

"And this shall be a sign unto you;
ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger."
Luke 2:12

There was nothing unusual about a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes…the action of swaddling kept the baby nice and snug, free from flailing his little arms and feet.
But "lying in a manger"? That was not the usual by any means. But the Prince of Peace chose to enter humanity at a low socioeconomic status. No one can claim that He came at a level which gave Him advantages that we cannot attain.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

WordFilled Wednesday – John 1:29

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse.

Baby and Lamb from Fitz and Floyd nativity

The next day John saw Jesus
coming toward him and said,
"Look, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 1:29 NIV

The tiny baby we see in the nativity scene was foreshadowed for centuries by a lamb. The lamb's life was to substitute for the sinner's life. The baby was born to Mary because He was to be the sacrifice for saving the whole world.

You will find more Word-Filled Wednesday posts at The 160 Acre Woods.

Word-Filled Wednesday – Isaiah 7:14

Sponsored by Amydeanne at The 160-Acre Woods, the "purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photos & a verse.

Lladro Creche Figure Ornaments

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

Very soon we will be engrossed in all the activities related to the Christmas holiday. Let us also prepare our hearts and mind to contemplate the true meaning of this special time.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne. http://the160acrewoods.com/