..rejoicing exceedingly with great joy....

... those wise men, astronomers, educated men, philosophers, men trying to figure out deeper meanings and purpose...

they knew the time, according to their calculations, they knew that the world was anticipating the birth of a King... the King of the Jews..

they got on their way, .. and that was not an easy undertaking at that time.. no trains, planes and automobiles... best case scenario : a camel.... rocky at best.. travel time???  a little longer than we are used to these days.. they got on their way because obviously they wanted to worship the long awaited king...

when they finally found the child.. they were "rejoicing exceedingly with great joy"

this is what jumped out at me today when reading Matthew 2: 1-23 this morning...

they were  REJOICING EXCEEDINGLY WITH GREAT JOY....
sounds like "doppeltgemoppelt" ( German word, cute eh? ) to me... rejoicing with joy... it's redundant, repetitive... for a good reason I am sure... and then, not only with joy but with GREAT joy, and... exceedingly... means extremely, to great extend...

they got it... they knew it was a big deal... they were willing to go on an arduous journey..
( involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring ) they just had to go.....

because, they knew... as it had been foretold by the Prophet Isaiah 700 years before :

For unto us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 Of the increase of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

(Isaiah 9: 6+7)

it was and it still is, a big deal... are we getting it??? are we exceedingly rejoicing with great joy????

a girl, very dear to my heart, a young mother... followed my invitation to come and join me worshipping the King, I told her how much I love Him, and explained to her that He first loved me... she came and she heard the Good News and she believed...

that's Christmas... that's reason to exceedingly rejoice with great joy... He did not only come, but He is Emmanuel and He is God with us... ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!