People of the First Christmas: The Magi

Welcome to the final post in my mini-series on the People of the First Christmas. Today, I’ll be focusing on the Magi, also known as the Wise Men or, less accurately, as the Three Kings. Contrary to popular Nativity scenes, the Magi were not present at the stable on that first Christmas night. Instead, they visited Jesus in a house when He was about two years old, bringing their gifts and worship.

Before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to explain just who the Magi were and were not. The word “Magi” is a translation of a Greek word that referred to the astrologer-priests of Zoroastrianism, a religion in what is now modern-day Iran, but was known as Persia in ancient times. They were experts in observing the skies and predicting future events, both through their interpretations of celestial phenomena and their studies of religious texts—both their own and those of other cultures. They likely had heard of prophecies such as Balaam’s in Numbers or Isaiah’s, both of which referred to celestial signs about the King of the Jewish People.

So when they saw the sign of a bright new star, they would have understood its significance and decided to follow it to see where it led. This extraordinary event aligned with the prophecies they had studied, such as Balaam’s words in Numbers 24:17, “A star will come out of Jacob,” and Isaiah 60:3, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Recognizing the importance of this celestial sign, the Magi embarked on a long and arduous journey, driven by their desire to honor the newborn King of the Jews.

Now, before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to pose a question: When we see a sign in our lives, are we ready to show such faith and follow God, or do we resist because we are living a comfortable life and don’t want to change anything? It’s something worth pondering!

The visit of the Magi is described in the second chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The passage tells us that wise men from the East came to Jerusalem during the time of King Herod, seeking the child who had been born king of the Jews. They explained, “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

King Herod, disturbed by this news, gathered the chief priests and scribes to inquire where the Messiah was to be born. They referenced the prophecy: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Herod then secretly met with the Magi to determine the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with instructions to find the child and report back to him under the pretense that he too wanted to pay homage.

The Magi followed the star to the place where it stopped over the house where Jesus was. Overwhelmed with joy, they entered and saw the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down, paid him homage, and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another route.

After the Magi left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. This fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

Unfortunately, Herod did not react kindly to the Magi’s decision not to report back to him about the child’s location. Knowing the timeframe in which the star had appeared to them, he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to kill every child aged two or younger. This horrific act fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah, which spoke of Rachel weeping for her children because they were no more.

Now, what can we learn from this bit of biblical history? I think we can learn quite a bit! First off, we see that the Magi were humble in asking the people of Jerusalem where the Messiah was to be born and then following the directions given to them. Do we show such humility by asking for help when we need it, or do we let our pride get in the way and refuse to ask?

Secondly, the Magi were devoted and wise because they paid homage to a child living in a humble home with his parents. They recognized greatness even without the earthly trappings of such. Are we willing to overlook what the world sees in others, or are we only looking skin-deep at our fellow human beings? As believers, I hope it is more of the former and not the latter!

Third, the gifts they gave Him were prophetic in nature. Gold symbolized royalty, signifying that He was the King of Kings. Frankincense, used in Temple worship, revealed His nature as our High Priest. Myrrh, a spice used to bury the dead, foretold His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we offer a gift to someone else, does it hold such meaning as well, or is it merely given because it’s customary, and we want to appear nice?

Finally, their visit led directly and indirectly to the fulfillment of several prophecies, including God’s calling His Son out of Egypt and the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem. While we can see today that it was all part of a larger divine plan, it must have been terrifying for Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus to flee for their lives into Egypt to escape the mad King Herod. When we look back at our own lives, can we see God at work, or do we attribute events to coincidence or fate?

In conclusion, the story of the Magi is more than just a tale of a journey guided by a star. It’s a testament to faith, humility, devotion, and the fulfillment of divine prophecies. As we reflect on their story, let’s be inspired to seek guidance with humility, give with meaningful intention, and recognize the divine workings in our own lives. May we always be ready to follow the signs God places before us, trusting in His greater plan.

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