DAY 21: Adoration of the Three Wise Men
“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 the 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, O 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.”’
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.’ After listening to the king, they went on their way. 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.” – Matthew 2:1-10 ESV
My Thoughts:
Adoration of the Magi, Charles-André Vanloo, 1760
The wise men spoken of in the Nativity Story were most likely magi from Persia (present day Iran and Iraq)–which is to the east of Bethlehem. The magi were Zoroastrian priests. Magi is the plural Greek term for the Persian word for priest, magus. As part of their religion, the priests paid particular attention to the stars and practiced astrology. While the number of wise men is not named, the popular tradition is that there were three– one for each of the three gifts given. Early believers reinterpreted the description of the wise men in light of the Old Testament prophecies that show the Messiah being worshipped by kings (Isaiah 60:3, Psalm 72:10, Psalm 68:29). And they elevated the magi to kingly status. Hence, the song titled We Three Kings.
Note that the first religious leaders to visit Christ and worship Him were foreigners and priests of another religion. And these wise men knew something of the Jewish prophecies, as it says they asked of the Jews, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
According to Armenian tradition the magi were Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar of India. The tradition developed that Gaspar represented old age and he gave the gift of gold from India. Melchior, as the middle-aged one, gave the gift of frankincense from Persia. And Balthazar, as the young man, gave the gift of myrrh from Arabia.
May we be wise like these first seekers of the Christ Child. May we also be vigilant watchers and see the Light of the Star that guides us. May we also have the wise men’s’ generosity to give unto God what is His.
Prayer (from St. Teresa of Ávila):
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
