Advent III: The Story of the Magi

God communicates with us in many different ways. One of the most special ways is through story. We tell stories to people with whom we desire a relationship, and God's word is filled with them. The stories are true, of course, but they are still narratives and not fact sheets. As with everything else in creation, stories have structure. By looking at the different parts, we can learn more about the whole.

The Story of the Magi

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star of royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

       While the Three Wise Men probably didn't see Jesus until he was at least a month old, they have become an essential part of the Christmas story. We only assume that there were three of them, given the three gifts they brought, and only Matthew mentions them at all. Information on them is limited, and for that reason I find them fascinating. 

       Remember, the angels told the shepherds that their message of joy was "for all people." The shepherds were Jewish believers. The Magi, the Magicians if you will, were gentile pagans, sorcerers, wizards. Their chosen profession is condemned throughout the Bible clearly and consistently. Yet the message of joy was for them too. 

       The shepherds had the birthright to approach the King of kings, but lacked the social and academic qualifications. The Magi had the social status, but lacked the everything else. Both groups were called to see him, because the message was (and still is) for the whole world.

       Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is 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 will shepherd my people Israel."

       These Magicians were searching for something. They were looking to the stars as astrologists. God tells his Story in the stars, as he does in many places. In his wisdom, he used the stars to bring the Magicians to scripture, and from scripture literally to himself. 

       And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

       A Herald isn't always a person. Sometimes it's an event, like a new star in the sky. An Ally and an Enemy are sometimes one in the same. Sometimes we leave the gold, frankincense and myrrh behind for a treasure that is far more valuable. And the Road Back isn't always the one we came in on.
       But the Story is always true.
       The Magi might better be called the Searchers. Even though they were looking in many wrong directions, they were looking with open minds. And God used the stars, an evil king, and ancient prophecy to bring them to worship him. When we are truly seeking something real, something true, we never know where God will choose to reveal himself.

For [God's] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20