In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.”  When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been 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 is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”  When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.  On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. 

Matthew 2:1-12

God sent a multitude of angels to announce Jesus’ birth to a group of shepherds who were tending their flock that night.  The heavenly host appeared to them praising God saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ Luke 2:14

The shepherds went into town to find the baby lying in a manger.  After hearing about Jesus, they wanted to find Him for themselves, and they did.  Afterward, they went back to work, tending their flock outside of town and “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).

God sought out a group of people living outside the social structure, who were considered outcasts by many in society, who likely were not educated, sophisticated nor held in prestige by those who considered such things as significant, and God chose them as the recipients of Christ Jesus’ heavenly birth announcement. 

Holy, eternal God, the Alpha and Omega, who has always been and always will be, who has all power and authority everywhere, came to earth as a baby human and He announced His birth to a group of shepherds.  As significant as that is, it is also significant that He chose not to announce His birth to people who dedicated their lives to studying His holy word, who held themselves out as God’s holy servants, and who were treated with prestige by society because of their proclaimed association with God.  The very people who thought they were closest to God had no idea He had come to earth as a baby human. 

At the same time, God communicated Jesus’ birth in an unusual way to a group of Magi, Persian priests who lived in a foreign land somewhere east of Jerusalem.  God revealed a sign among the stars of the heavens, and this particular group of Magi understood that the astrological sign communicated the King of the Jews had been born, and for some unknown reason, they wanted to travel a great distance to find the newborn King and worship Him.  We do not know how they connected the dots between stars and the newborn Christ child.  We do not know why they were compelled to search and worship.  We do not know how many Magi went, how far they traveled or how long it took, but it possibly took two years (see Matthew 2:16).

After arriving in Jerusalem they started asking around, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Matthew 2:2).  They must have been shocked to discover that no one in the Jewish capital had heard about the King’s birth.  No one knew the event had happened, and the prospect of the King’s birth sent terror among people there.  God’s holy word says, “When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3).  King Herod moved quickly to protect his turf, and he sent the Magi to Bethlehem because religious scholars believed the Messiah would be born their (see Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:5). 

As the Magi neared Bethlehem, they once again saw a heavenly sign that led them to the very house where Mary and baby Jesus were.  Scripture uses the word “star,” but it was likely more like Shekinah glory, the cloud pillar that led God’s people during the Exodus (see Exodus 13:17-22).  God’s holy word describes the scene like this:

When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.  On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.  Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.  Matthew 2:10-12

Contrary to the popular song proclaiming, “We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse a far, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star,” we do not know how many Magi went, where they came from, or how they connected the dots between a star and Christ child, but they searched and searched for Him.  They traveled a great distance and asked everyone, and when they found Him, they were overjoyed and knelt before Him, and worshipped Him by offering extravagant gifts.  They were the first to worship Christ Jesus.

When the shepherds heard of Christ Jesus’ birth, they searched for Him and after finding Him, they glorified and praised God.  They were changed by their experience with the heavenly host and Christ child.  When the Magi saw the sign of Christ Jesus’ birth, they searched for Him and once they found Him, they knelt, worshipped, offered luxurious gifts, and obeyed God by traveling home a different way.  Contrast their reactions to the reaction of King Herod and others in Jerusalem.  When they heard news of the Christ child’s birth, they were frightened (see Matthew 2:3).  They liked their lives the way they were.  They did not want change.  In fact, they resisted change so much they sought to kill the purveyor of transformation.   

Each person acted in response to news of Jesus’ birth.  King Herod’s actions revealed the evil within him.  He searched for the Christ child, not to worship, but to destroy.  He hunted so that he might continue worshiping himself and the god of his making, and many innocent young lives were lost in the process.  The shepherds searched for Christ in awe-inspired curiosity.  The Magi traveled a great distance to worship Him. 

The good news of Christ Jesus changes everyone who hears it.  Some seek and worship.  Others are curious.  Some respond with evil intent.  Jesus says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24).  What is your response? 

May you genuinely, continuously seek Him and truly worship Him. Amen.