The Visit of the Magi
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘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.’” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 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.” 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. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. – Matthew 2: 1-12
As we continue through the Christmas season, we celebrate the Epiphany. The three kings have arrived to do homage to the newborn king, Jesus. After they have brought their gifts and prostrated themselves, they returned to their home countries, but by a different way.
We too, after having encountered Jesus, must not return the same way we have come from. After experiencing Jesus, we are a new creation in Christ and must not go back to our former way of life “that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” – Ephesians 4: 21-24
Just as that star that led the three kings to Jesus, we are now the light of Christ for others to see, to lead others to Jesus. Let us, also, go back to our homes, work places, and schools, a different way than before knowing Jesus, so that others may come to know Him, too, through our words and actions.