The Magi – Joy for the World

​To see this newly born King was worth every dusty step on this 1,400 mile venture to Jerusalem for the Eastern wise men. This remarkable sighting in the sky was a star unlike any other they had studied or tracked in their lifetimes. An astrological peculiarity.

As highly educated astronomers and astrologers it was their business to know and discern earthly events by the messages evident in the heavens. The great Babylonian library held writings from a plethora of religions by which they could make their predictions. They had been students of the sky from early on. Observers of the celestial lights. Watchers of the stars fixed in their places and constellations. Recording time honored calculations, reliable, constant, and predictable.

So, what was happening now? Where did this star come from? Why had it appeared?

It did not behave like the other stationary stars in the heavens. It beckoned them to follow. Follow an anomaly? They would be called fools!

A Wisdom beyond themselves entreated them to pursue it. As they did, hope and joy blossomed in their hearts.  

This illumination in the heavens indicated a royal birth. The Hebrew writings had said a star “shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel.” There was always such hope and peace associated with this promised King of the Hebrew people. Kindness and goodness hallmarked His reign. Would that more kings ruled in such a way!

The prophetic and poetic Jewish writings especially encouraged these Eastern men of wisdom. In the scrolls of Isaiah and the Psalms were promises of light, peace, and salvation for even non-Jewish worshipers of this Hebrew King. Unheard of!

News of the Eastern caravan’s arrival in Jerusalem spread quickly.  Their inquiry at the city gates, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him," created such a stir, but not of joy. Was that alarm in their voices?
They made camp and refreshed themselves before proceeding to where the precious Child would be found.

In due time and quite unceremoniously the Magi were summoned to meet with so-called Herod the Great in the palace. They were hurried to a room and questioned by Herod, himself. He was impatient to know exactly when the star appeared. The longer they were in the presence of Herod, the stronger the wise men’s eagerness to leave the royal premises.

Satisfied with the Magi’s response, Herod sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." A request from another worshipper? Hardly! A true worshipper would have dropped everything to come and see this new King. THIS was a tyrant’s desperate dictate to remain on the throne he had usurped!

Herod directed the entourage toward a tiny hamlet called Bethlehem, just 6 miles away from Jerusalem. The encounter with the king of the Jews was sobering. For all of its fine buildings and impressive facades, this meeting with Herod and left a pallor to their view of Israel’s capital city.

 As the Magi left the boundary of the city, they looked to the sky, as was their habit. To their great delight the star that they had seen in the east went on before them and stood at the place where the Child was. The jubilation in the caravan was exuberant! A deep and abiding peace and joy flooded in the recesses of their hearts and minds! Never before had they seen such hope communicated through the heavens!  

With gratefulness the wise men entered the house and saw the Child with Mary, His mother.  Overcome with adoration and awe, they fell to the ground and bowed low, faces touching the floor, and worshiped Him. Words weren’t adequate to declare the elation that consumed them because of this Child.

Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Exquisite, expensive gifts fit for a King. Yet, there was a holy purpose to them not fully known to the Magi. But they had agreed that these were the appropriate expressions of honor and praise they desired to bestow on the heralded King of the Jews. May He rule with righteousness and justice! May His kingdom never come to an end! God be praised! Joy has come to the World!

Oh to be a mouse in the corner witnessing this fantastic moment in the lives of all present! Seeing the culmination of the wise men’s study and calculations come to life in that humble Bethlehem home. There was no hesitation on their part to fully give to Jesus His rightful praise and worship. There was no reserve in bestowing tangible expressions of honor befitting this Child of the Promise.
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Christmas is often a celebration wrapped up in traditions and obligations that tend to overshadow the Person central to its existence. The challenge for us is to make sure our investments of time, talents, and treasures give to Jesus His due: reflecting His glory in our joyous adoration of Him and His call to us to carry the Gospel’s message of hope where ever we go. 

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