When
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi
from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the
Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling
all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where
the Messiah was to be born. 5 They
said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the
prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by
no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then
Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s
appearance. 8 He
sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When
you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 9 After their audience with the king they set
out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until
it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and
on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated
themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him
gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And
having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their
country by another way.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod (v. 1), a cruel and vicious king who reigned from 37 BC to 4 BC and was subservient to the Roman Emperor. The Magi were a group of wise men who interpreted dreams, astrology, and magic. There was an ancient belief that the stars marked the birth of great leaders so the rising of a new star (v. 2) marked a significant event. Christian tradition names the three Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. Melchior from Persia brought Gold - a symbol of the kingship of Christ. Gaspar from India brought Frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of the divinity of Christ. Balthazar from Africa (probably Persia (Iran) or Arabia) brought Myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of Christ’s redemptive suffering and death. They represented the Gentile world and Christians believe that the OT pointed forward to them; “May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him (Ps. 72:10-11)."
Herod tried to find out from the chief priests and scribes where the "King of the Jews (v. 2)” was to be born so he could have him killed. Bethlehem was the city where David was born and where it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born (Micah 5:2). When the magi found baby Jesus, they showed deference to the ‘King’ as foretold in Isaiah; “Caravans of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and heralding the praises of the Lord (Is. 60:6).” Just as they found out about the king in a dream, they were warned in a dream to return by a different route to their countries.
Heavenly Father, may the Holy Spirit lead us to reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In your love for us you sent our creator to depend on his creation so that in the fullness of time he could lead his creation to salvation. Grant us the grace to grow spiritually during this Christmas season and beyond. This we ask through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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