Would thing have been different if the travelers from the East were women? Probably. They would have arrived months earlier because they would have stopped earlier to ask for directions. They would’ve cleaned up the barn a little.  And, in addition to the gold, frankincense and myrrh, the would’ve cooked a casserole Mary and Joseph could heat up for supper one night.

            What do we know about these magi? Not much.  Where were they from? The “East.” How many were there? We know of at least three because of the gifts, but most travelers in those days never hazarded to travel without an entourage. The second century theologian, Tertullian started the story that these were kings because the Old Testament prophecy said kings would bow down before the Messiah.

            So, today, the manufactured Christmas scenes include three men bearing gifts. But, the Bible doesn’t say they came to the stable, but a house (Matthew 2), and the came several weeks, if not years (two most likely) after the birth of Christ. In the Sixth Century, someone in the Church decided to give these three men names: Melchior, Baltazar and Gaspar. Well, someone wanted to write an opera about them and HAD to name them!!! Furthermore, we don’t know if they were “wise.” The original manuscripts call them “magi” which is an ancient Iranian (Babylon) word meaning a person who acted in a strange way. We get our modern word, magician from the word for one who practices magic arts, astrology, incantation and spells.

            So, we don’t know where they came from, how many there were, or who came with them. Why not? Why doesn’t Matthew’s Gospel explain a little more about these mysterious figures who play a prophetic role in the coming of the Messiah? I’m not completely sure, but their de-emphasis has part of its explanation in the emphasis of the fulfillment of God’s Promise for a Savior. “We have come to worship...” must be the focus. Whether our nativity scene includes three strangers, or not, the fact remains that today WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM. That includes men, women and children. How do we explain them?

            First, one possibility is that they were part of the ten tribes of Israel left in Babylon after the time of Daniel. There were thousands of Jews who chose to remain in Babylon, thus co-mingling with the Babylonians. Their religious practice was mixed with paganism. They may not have been orthodox in their worship, but some of the remnants of the prophecy of God may have persisted. “A star will come out of Jacob (Israel); a scepter will rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17) While they searched the skies for the sign of the Messiah, they would have known the Natal Star’s significance. But, give them credit: They came from a great distance to worship this newborn King.

            Notice, also that Herod, who was supposedly a king and priest (something he bought and paid for at the price of several beheaded opponents), didn’t know the prophecy of the coming Messiah. He was only six miles away from this dynamic change to the universe, and didn’t bother to jump in his chariot and speed off to see the great occurrence for himself.

            Wise men and wise women still seek Him. Do we? This whole lesson of the magi teaches us that a person’s theology may not have to be perfect in order for them to be led to Christ. Make no mistake about it, however - God is the One who did the calling and teaching. Jesus came as true God and true Man, born of a virgin mother, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He literally came to the world He created, walked on the ground He formed, was born into the lineage of the people He came to save... but they rejected Him. “But, to the many who received Him, He gave the right to be His sons and daughters,” says St John the Apostle.

            Jesus came into this world to fill a void - the void created after our ancestors fell into sin. We were created in the image of God, but lost that image when we fell into sin.  We were given the perfect knowledge and free will of God, but that was lost and fractured when sin interrupted and ruptured our relationship with God. God could’ve acted like a spoiled child and destroyed the old creation and started all over again.  But, His love for His creation and the crown of the creation - mankind - led God to promise a way by which mankind could be reconciled to Him again.

            Since we lost the image of God in the Fall, the only way for that to be reconciled was for God to take on the frailty of our human image.  But, that required a Person who was both fully Divine and fully Man.  He had to live a perfect human life, faced with all the troubles, persecution, anguish and temptations any other man may face. Yet, He could never sin.  Then, that perfect life had to be offered to God as a sacrifice for the sins of all the world. Jesus in His two natures would have to willing fulfill over 1500 prophecies exactly, and stumble along the Via Della Rosa to be nailed to the cross and die the perfect death under the wrath of God against sin, and exchange our wretchedness for His divine righteousness.

            Herod didn’t like the idea there might be another Person who was prophesied to take over for him as king. But, this King wasn’t one who ascended to the throne by trickery or murder. The King of kings came from His eternal throne to rule, not only over Israel but, over the entire cosmos.

            Wisemen still seek Him. Do we? What does it mean to seek Him? It means to worship Him and adore Him above all names on earth and in the heavens. Is it too much for us to share that within our families?  Is it still important enough for our children to learn of Christ - our newborn King and Savior in family devotions and Sunday School?  Or, is Jesus simply an after thought - the same as king Herod thought - and we let others go to worship, Bible studies, and Sunday School?  Is the Good News of the coming of the Christ too familiar that we don’t bother telling our neighbor or relatives who aren’t Christians?  Or, does this just show how much we REALLY believe the Christmas story?

            Wisemen still seek Him. Over 2000 years ago, magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. They worshiped the Son of God and Son of Man. “Where is the One who has been born the King of the Jews,” they asked. Where is He? The gift of gold signified the kingly estate from which the Christ Child came.  The frankincense signified His worthiness of our worship. The myrrh signifies the burial spice that foretold of His death, burial and resurrection. Did the magi know the significance of their gifts? Probably not, but God did.

            In the vivid contrast of a smelly old barn, a dirt-poor family, and lowly surroundings, these wisemen still knelt before the Christ Child, lying on the lap of a poor woman, dressed in ragged clothing.  Yet, they still worshiped Him.  The wisemen still sought Him. And, today, the wise men, wise women, and wise children - led by the Almighty hand of God - will still seek Him, fall down and worship Him... our King of kings, and Lord of lords, the promised Savior of all mankind, Jesus Christ.

            A blessed and joyous Christmas to you and your entire family.

                                                                                    Your servant in Christ +

                                                                                    Rev Dr Roger Paavola