The scripture reading for this fourth week of Advent 2014 comes from Matthew’s Gospel:  Matt. 2:1-2:

‘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” ‘.

One question that comes to mind when we think about the Wise men’s journey to see Jesus is, ‘HOW FAR DID THEY TRAVEL?  Calculations on the distance tell us that the journey could have been as much as 1600 miles.  In comparison with the Shepherds who traveled 2 miles or Mary and Joseph who traveled 90 miles, the Wise men made quite a journey.  Their travels, which took as much as 2 years, could have been a project of such mammoth proportions that it would have never been undertaken.

But, remember:  ‘The Wise men didn’t calculate the extent of their journey ‘GEOGRAPHICALLY’.  They measured it with their ‘HEARTS’.   So when their hearts considered the journey and the arduous nature of its traverse, they concluded that it was a short journey to make to offer adoration to Jesus.

Today, let’s calculate the extent of our spiritual journey in a similar way.  Though difficult at times, the pathway to Jesus is short, if measured with a heart of humble adoration.  Let’s lift our praise to Him with joyful worship.