"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem"...[NIV}
King Herod was surrounded by the custodians of the scriptures at that time...those who told the 3 Kings that , according to Malachi the prophet, Jesus would be born in Bethlehem... [Heb. 'House of Bread']...not Jerusalem....Where HE would eventually die !
How did Herod and the Sanhedrin 'miss it' !...Because they were not in an attitude of expectancy...their hearts ran after other things than God...[power, privilege, position, prestige, popularity, portfolios !!!, etc. etc.]...even the 3 Magi [or 'wise men'] considered that a King ought to be born in the capital city of Jerusalem...not knowing that Bethlehem was David's Royal city...
Yet the star stopped above that Blessed manger, in that city, where Jesus lay...[v.9]
Brethren, do not let that which starts well in The Spirit ...drift away into the flesh !!!! ..we see that the 3 Kings relied on worldly wisdom instead of continuing in faith, to the culmination of their journey...[Proverbs3:5,6].
But, at least they were seeking The Lord !!!...whereas Herod and the Jewish religious hierarchy were NOT !!!!!!!!
Interestingly enough, the DIvine revelation came to the poor shepherds.....and went to worship HIM...
The rich Kings went following a Divine sign....in order to worship HIM...
'Every valley shall be raised up, and every mountain and hill made low'...
From the outset of HIS BIRTH...The Lord JESUS exalted the humble.....and humbled the exalted !!!
May The Lord Bless you this CHRISTMAS .