Epiphany is the celebration commemorating the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) from the East bringing gifts when they came to see the baby Jesus. The Gospel writer Matthew reports that they brought three gifts. It is generally assumed that there were three wise men. The text does not tell us how many were in the group. Some say that there could have been six or even more in the group. This delightful tale of strange Wise Men from the East, from some faraway land who brought Christmas presents to the baby Jesus is filled with mystery and intrigue.
The Christmas season is gift giving season, which is followed by gift return and gift exchange season in the month of January. We return or exchange due to various reasons such as wrong size, color preference may be the item was defective or damaged. Buying the appropriate gift is not easy. As our situations change, the nature of the gifts will change. The best gifts are those that come from people who love us and know what what is appropriate.
The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. This teaching dates back to the writing of Origen of Alexandria (180 - 250 AD) titled Contra Celsum that says: "gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God." As we sing in the well known hymn, "Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and sacrifice… ". The gifts they brought were appropriate to a king as sometimes linked to Isaiah 60:1–6, which refers to "kings [coming] to the brightness of your dawn" bearing "gold and frankincense."
These wise men were most likely men of learning like professors and philosophers of their day. These professionals were brilliant and highly educated scholars who were trained in medicine, history, religion, prophecy and astronomy. Our modern word 'magistrate' is a direct descendant of the word 'magi'. Since these men thought deeply about life, it certainly makes sense to call them 'Wise Men.' They were also trained in what we would call astrology. Back then, astrology was connected with people's search for God. The ancients studied the skies in order to find answers to the great questions of life–Questions like: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? These men were highly influential people who served as advisors to the king. It's interesting that the Magi had no trouble gaining an appointment with King Herod. That fact alone shows us how important and distinguished they were
What possibly could have motivated them to make a treacherous thousand-mile journey across the desert? There's only one answer to that question – they received a gift from God as a revelation about a baby King. This is fascinating. They knew a baby King would be born but they didn't know the exact location. They knew he was a King but didn't know His name. So they come to Jerusalem–the capital city seeking help. It actually makes sense that they went to Jerusalem because they wanted to welcome the 'King of the Jews.' They guessed that this newborn king was the son of Herod the Great. They assumed that everyone must know about this baby. But a great surprise awaited them when they found out that the baby was not born in the palace, but in a manger in a poor home. Still they adored him as King. The Star was a gift from God to the wise who seek after truth. They saw beyond the present to the future - that may be why they are called 'wise men'. They somehow knew that this child would one day rule the world and they were not ashamed to fall on their faces before Him.
It was a sign that the prophets and the forefathers told thousands of years, that a savior was to be born. It was told since the fall of Adam. This was foretold by the ancient Eastern religions as well as the others. Verse 2 adds a detail that has baffled and intrigued Bible scholars and astronomers for 2,000 years: "We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him." It is for the wise to know the signs. It was a sign that the prophets and the forefathers told thousands of years, that a savior is to be born. It was told since the fall of Adam. This was foretold by the ancient Eastern religions as well.
This star was a gift with a great message. God always speaks loud enough for a willing ear to hear. The signs of Jesus' coming were clear enough for anyone to see. Whatever the bright star was, it certainly got the attention of the Wise Men. The Wise Men heard and did something; the shepherds heard it and did something; the religious scholars knew it and did nothing. The message is out there for listening ear. God’s message of peace and love for a humanity that was in darkness of injustice and moral decay. Those who respond to the message will have peace and joy.
During the holidays we slip most easily into the roles the magi played. We bear gifts. We traverse afar. The magi popped in with their gifts, then departed. They didn’t stay close to the Lord Jesus like Joseph and Mary did. I wonder if I keep some distance but feel pretty good about it since, after all, I did give Jesus a few gifts. I paid my offering, said some prayers, read about the magi, took canned goods to the food collection, and then I go on my way.
The Journey does not end with giving gifts. Wise men still seek him, wise men follow the message to go and see the baby, they guide others to the light of the world. They still adore him and wise men still worship him. But God has made each of us a star in the East with a message, a message of Good news to all people, to guide others to Christ. There is a star sitting to the East of you, You are a star in the East to the one West of you, to be a gift of presence in times of need and source of comfort in times of trouble. We are all given to this world as Gifts with a message, a star to shine in the darkness to guide others to the light.
There is a story about a shah who ruled somewhere in Persia. He used to roam around the nation in disguise to find out the problems of his people. One day he met a person whose job was heating water for the people in a public baths. He sat in a dark room by himself and did his job honestly. The shah visited this person frequently and started sharing his food. He was so taken by the love of this man. One day the stranger told him he is the Shah, the ruler of Persian Empire and asked that he can ask for any gift he wants. The poor man was choked with tears and told the Emperor, “There is no greater gift than you coming down to this dark room with me and sharing your time with me”. This is what we see in Christmas. The greatest gift is God “coming down from heaven” and living with us. “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)
No gift is worth anything if not given out of love. “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life…” God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. That is one reason why we celebrate this time with friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it will not be found at the mall. This is a time to make love visible through relational giving. Each of us is given a life in this world as a gift, each of us is a star to shine and guide others to Christ, You are a star in the East, for the person who sits to the west. The one who lives near you, and the one who works beside you It takes deep faith and profound hope to see beyond the manger, to be a guiding star in the world.
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