The journey to Bethlehem wasn't an easy day trip for the wise men, the magi who came from another part of the Ancient Near East (Matthew 2:1-12). Their pilgrimage to visit the young Jewish King was long and probably arduous.
Why would they embark on such an expensive and challenging expedition? Why this particular birth? How would they know a child was coming? And why would it be so meaningful that they would bear such expensive gifts?
Let's begin by understanding who the wise men were: priestly astrologers who gave counsel to the kings of Persia and Babylon. They came from Babylon, which is modern-day Iraq, east of Israel. This fact is a crucial key to revealing the significance of their visit. |
|
|
Your caring gift today has the power to transform the life of a child in need. Right now, your gift will go TWICE as far to provide safe, free surgery and medical care for a child like Armella.
When she was very young, a tumor began to grow behind her ear. Nothing local doctors tried worked and the tumor continued to grow. Without surgery, her mother worried for her health and future — then hope arrived.
Bring hope and healing to someone hurting today. Your gift will be MATCHED, up to $150,000, providing life-changing surgery to a child in need. |
|
|
Bible News The latest Bible-related and Bible-adjacent news |
|
|
December 9 — Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a significant section of the Hasmonean-era "First Wall," dating back to the late 2nd century BC. Found beneath the Tower of David Museum, the wall is linked to the Hanukkah story and stood 10 meters tall in its prime. It was reportedly dismantled as part of a ceasefire deal between Jewish King John Hyrcanus I and Syrian King Antiochus VII. Artifacts like arrowheads and catapult stones further connect the site to historical sieges. (Jerusalem Post, AP) |
| December 9 — The current Golden Age of biblical media continues with two productions bringing fresh perspectives to familiar stories. The animated musical David offers a visually stunning and theologically rich portrayal of King David's life, blending epic storytelling with Psalm-inspired music. Meanwhile, Kevin Costner's The First Christmas presents a gritty, historically grounded take on the Nativity, emphasizing the human struggles of Mary and Joseph under Roman rule. (The Gospel Coalition, Christian Post) |
| December 10 — Around 2,000 Christians from over 200 denominations gathered for the National Christian Convention in New Delhi, India, to protest rising violence and persecution. Reports show a 500% increase in attacks on Christians since 2014, with 93% of incidents going unpunished. Protesters condemned anti-conversion laws, denial of burial rights, and the exclusion of Dalit Christians from legal protections. They plan to submit a manifesto demanding justice and protection for Christians to Indian leaders. (Christianity Daily) |
|
|
The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) Annual Meeting is the world's largest conference for biblical scholarship, drawing an estimated 10,000 attendees every year.
I recently had the privilege of attending this year's meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, November 22-25, 2025. It was an incredible (and exhausting) whirlwind of information, authors and academics, and discounted books, and I'm excited to share some of what I discovered with Bible Gateway readers. |
| The Christmas season is a time for reflection, joy, and celebration. It's also a time of patience, yearning, and expectation. As we wait for Jesus to enter the world — and then rejoice in peace and exultation when he inevitably does — it gives us an opportunity to enter into the Bible story and experience it for ourselves. We re-experience the long, hopeful, sometimes desperate wait that God's people had to endure before Christ was finally, blessedly born to us on that night in Bethlehem.
As you enter into this time of waiting and celebration, here are Bible verses you can read, study, and reflect on — whether quietly to yourself or together as a family. |
|
|
Devotionals and Reading Plans Sign up to get daily inspiration, biblical themes, and guided studies that allow you to engage with Scripture in a meaningful and practical way. |
| Bible Gateway App Connect with God's Word anytime, anywhere. | | Bible Audio App Listen to God's word in your favorite narration. Enjoy features such as setting a timer, adjusting the speed, or repeating verses to better absorb the Word of God. |
|
|
VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER ► This email was sent to alitealbum.biblegateway@blogger.com by Bible Gateway, 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. You received this message because you signed up to receive updates and offers from Bible Gateway and its sponsors. If you have questions or comments about
this email, please contact us. |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment