December 19, 2016 (Monday)
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘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.'” Then Herod secretlycalled for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.(Matthew 2:1-12 RSV)
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Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus as our King. As such, he was due honor by the royalty of other nations. The “wise men” described above are also known in our traditions as “kings.” We have songs about it, such as “We Three Kings.”
They came later, some say three years after the birth of Jesus, with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh–costly gifts befitting the new king. They came in response to a sign in the sky that they called, “his star.” They followed the star, but for some reason needed additional directions so they went to King Herod for advice. Herod was alarmed at talk of a new king, and tried to kill the infant Jesus by decreeing that all the babies of Bethlehem three years of age and under be put to death. The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went their way back to their home countries.
Luke tells of an angelic announcement to poor shepherds; Matthew tells us of God’s miraculous star that led wealthy kings to see Jesus. Here is a wonderful message: Jesus came to all of us, rich and poor.