Day 4
December 7

Once loaded with provisions and gifts, the Magi left their homes and country to find and worship Jesus, the Messiah.

This was a hard trip of up to 2000 miles. The caravan would likely have covered no more than 15 miles on their best days, as camels carried the heavy loads and people walked. Their journey took many months and possibly as long as 2 years. They traveled on ancient roads, across dry deserts, and through rocky mountain passes, always on guard against wild animals and thieves. An occasional town provided a break in the routine and opportunity to replenish food supplies and other goods for themselves and their animals.

Looking back on another big trip in the Bible helps us better understand what may have been involved in preparing for a long journey.

In the book of Genesis, we learn Abraham’s servant was preparing for a journey to find a bride for Abraham’s son, Isaac:

Then he loaded ten of Abraham’s camels with all kinds of expensive gifts from his master, and he traveled...
Genesis 24:10

If Abraham’s servant needed 10 camels to carry gifts to the potential bride and her family a few hundred miles away it seems likely the Magi would require more than the three camels we often see depicted in order to carry the food, water, gifts, and other necessities for an expedition lasting up to two years.

The Magi must have experienced intense relief and rejoicing upon reaching Jerusalem after such a grueling trip. But to their dismay, they soon realized the Messiah they had come to worship wasn’t in

Jerusalem or born in a palace as they imagined. Instead, they changed directions and continued on.

Consider

• Can you imagine the overwhelming exhaustion the Magi likely felt when they discovered their long trip was not yet over? Can you think of a time when you felt you had followed God’s leading only to learn you were not yet done?
• Did you experience stress and a sense of overwhelm from this unmet expectation? If so, how can you give up control and increase your reliance on God’s leading? Tell him your concerns and ask for his help in this area by writing or saying a prayer.