The Magi from the East

 

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After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

      Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11(NIV)

 

We read of the wise men (the Magi) who traveled great a distance over a lengthy time in search of the promised Messiah.

 

These men were foreigners in Judah. Tradition tells us they spent years studying the skies, in search of a sign. They saw the star as it rose in the sky and set out to find the Christ child.

 

These wise men followed the Star of Bethlehem until it “stopped over the place where the child was.” When they saw the child, they “bowed down, and worshiped and opened their treasures and presented him with gold. frankincense, and myrrh.” As I see it, these were very costly gifts. They gave these gifts to the Christ child out of obedience to God.  They gave these gifts as a form of worship.

 

We do not read of these three wise men after they depart Bethlehem to return to their homelands. However, the lesson they provide for us is memorable. They teach us that we must pay homage to (worship) God. The ways we worship God include praise, thanksgiving, and presenting our gifts to Him.

 

As we go through each November, our hearts and minds turn to ponder the things for which we are thankful. When Advent begins, our heart thoughts turn to the Christ child and His humble beginnings. I was reminded by a friend that we are to have Christmas in our hearts every day. My response to her was that we are to be thankful for all God gives us.

 

 

Tradition tells us there may have been 12 magi. We presume there were three because of the three gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ⁽¹

 

(1)          Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Magi) accessed 12/12/2020