Advent 2020 (day 25 of 26)

December 23, 2020 (Wednesday)

 

Advent 2020, day 25 of 26. Almost Christmas!

 

We have followed Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds. The next group I will be looking at today is the “magi.”  There are a lot of made up stories about the magi. Some think there were three, based on three gifts. But the exact number is unknown. There is a song that suggest they are “kings.” This is unlikely.

 

Let’s look at the Biblical record. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem.” [Matthew 2:1 CEB] They arrived AFTER Jesus birth. For ease of storytelling, we often see them in the same place as the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. While possible, it’s not likely.

 

In all likelihood, these men were royal astrologers, of a sort. Ancient cultures were very adept at using the stars to know the seasons and times. We would call this “astronomy,” but the suggestion here is they saw a star and followed it. The word “magi” is translated “magician” in the other two places is shows up in the Bible. If these magi were from Persia they would also have a priestly component to their work. It’s natural for them to stop in Jerusalem, the ancient capital of Israel.

 

If Isaiah’s prophecy about the event is correct, the magi were from Persia, Arabia, and Ethiopia (see Isaiah 60:6). They also arrived in “vast caravans” (armies). I imagine this was a huge stir in Jerusalem, “They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” [Matthew 2:2 CEB] Wealthy dignitaries and their armies asking to be allowed to honor the newborn king of the Jews, threw a very nasty King Herod into a fit. (Herod had killed his own sons and wife because he suspected them of trying to overthrow him.)

 

Gathering the chief priests and legal experts he asked for information. These elite scholars quoted Micah 5:2 and told him “Bethlehem.” Herod seemed to love intrigue and intended to turn the magi into spies, “Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” [Matthew 2:7 – 8 CEB]

 

Their journey continued, “When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was.” [Matthew 2:9 CEB] They gifted the child with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. People have read into these gifts: gold (Babylon) for royalty, frankincense (Arabia) for divinity and sacrifice, myrrh (Ethiopia) a burial spice for suffering.

 

We later find out that these magi had spotted the star two years ago (Herod’s orders to kill the children). As they watched the star, I think they wondered what it meant. These magi were literally ambassadors of their country, traveling with wealth, and creating an impression. Being important people, what did they leave behind to find the newborn king? Luxury, daily pleasure, power in the king’s court?

 

I wonder, this covid Christmas, everything we held dear seems to have been stripped away. The large family gatherings, the parties, and the church services. Gone. Sacrificed to the wisdom of not spreading the virus so we can spend many more Christmas together in the future. If everything were taken from us, would God be enough?

 

Did you notice the only ones who missed or didn’t believe the first Christmas were the religious people who knew the Bible?