After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. ~ Matthew 2:9-12
Although there are many traditions about the magi, also known as Wise Men and kings from the east, there isn’t a lot about them in the Bible. We sing about “We Three Kings of Orient,” but we don’t even know if there were three, just that the magi gave three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But as little as we know about them, the Wise Men are incredibly important. We may not know exactly who they were, but we knew who they weren’t—they weren’t Jews. The visit of the magi—the Epiphany—was the manifestation (the meaning of Epiphany) of Christ to the Gentiles. The Messiah prophecies had been given to the Jews, and so they expected that the Messiah, the Christ, would come to the Jews alone. Instead, God revealed the Christ by a star shining in the east that led men from far off to come worship. Now everyone can be saved!
Thank You, Lord, that You sent Jesus to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. If You had saved only Your Chosen People, I wouldn’t be worshipping You and loving You and praising You today. Hallelujah! I am saved by Your grace and mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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