When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
The magi seemed to have said this to Herod naively and in good faith, expecting that Herod would have been among those glad to hear the prophecy fulfilled. But Herod was not happy to suddenly discover that a new king of the Jews had been born. Instead, he took it as a threat to his own power and position. In this response we see that even before he spoke or taught, Jesus was already divisive, separating those kings who came to offer gifts and bring tribute from those kings of the earth and rulers that took counsel together against the LORD and his Anointed (see Psalm 2:2).
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Herod was taken by surprise at this announcement from the Magi. His life was one of suspicion that made him go so far as to kill members of his own family to protect his own power. He was so wrapped up in concern for the maintenance of his identity that he could only see any contender to his throne as a rival, even if that one was the child promised by prophecy.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
The magi, by contrast, were interested in a world that was largely than themselves, in a bigger picture and a greater hope than any they could claim by their own power or abilities. Not only that, but they were Gentiles who were open to the idea that the fulfillment they sought would not be found in their own traditions, but rather in a prophecy about a newborn king of the Jews. In some ways their distance might have made this birth seem less threatening. But they must have realized that a newborn king of the Jews was at least a potential threat to the power structures of Gentile nations as well. They seemed to have known the prophecy of Balaam, perhaps through a tradition left by Daniel was Israel was held captive in Babylon.
I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel (see Numbers 24:27).
Although this oracle of Balaam seemed to speak of conquest by Israel and said that "one from Jacob shall exercise dominion" (see Numbers 24:19) the magi did not reject or resist it. Rather, by their gifts they came to offer their own assent to the fulfillment of this prophecy, and hurried to be among the first to serve this newborn king who would one day rule over all peoples. It was amazing that a few scraps of prophecy preserved in their land was enough to sustain a tradition with enough reality and power that it motivated the magi to make such a long and difficult journey. But such is the power of the promises contained in the word of God. When taken seriously, even a snippet is enough to give new meaning and direction to the lives of those who hear it.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
We see from the chief priests and the scribes that knowing the Scriptures and the prophecies they contained was not in itself sufficient. They knew where the Messiah was to be born but had not intention of going to welcome him with worship. They answered 'Bethlehem', but moved not a whit closer to it. Instead they were content to be applauded for their correct answers. It was the magi and not they who were eager enough for the coming of the Messiah to watch for a sign from God. It was the magi who took the word of God seriously enough to let it have an impact and provoke a genuine and sustained response.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
We have been given faith as our star, one that can lead us ever more deeply into the mystery of the incarnation. Provided we don't let preoccupation with ourselves distract us we can follow this star to the house at Bethlehem and offer our worship to the newborn king. To worship this king means, of course, that we must lay down any claims or pretenses we have to kingship, even over our own lives and hearts. But if we are open to see by the light of God's revelation than we too will be "overjoyed" at what we find.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
We are meant to offer the best that we have for the gift of all that this child is meant to be for us, priest and God and sacrifice. Let us claim this child as our king, let us worship him as our God, and let us own his sacrifice as for our sakes, his blood as poured out for each of us.
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
If we are open to God's revelation and follow his guiding light we ourselves will be changed. It is simply not possible for those who have owned this newborn king as their own to return the way they came.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.
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