A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 2:1-12
1 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 Christ 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.
Reflection: Epiphany
The first verse of our gospel reading speaks of magi from the east. “Magi” is the plural form of magus which refers to a sorcerer or a member of the priestly class in Persia, the modern-day country of Iran. Other versions of the bible mention wise men from the Orient. The bible does not mention their number but people probably got the idea of three wise men from the fact that these visitors brought with them three gifts. However since King Herod became upset or nervous about their purpose, we can assume that their number is more than three.
The visitors are described as wise because they know how to interpret astronomical phenomena such as the rising of a star. When they saw the “Star of Bethlehem”, they associated it with the birth of a great king. That is why the gospel reading is called the epiphany because the birth of Jesus was manifested to the non-Jewish people or the Gentiles.
Here is King Herod who tried his best to trick or deceive the magi into an agreement so he could know personally where to find the child Jesus. Yet God the Almighty guided the visitors and King Herod got the disappointment of his life. God knows better than any wise or skillful king!
The visitors brought with them three gifts which consisted of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This must be the idea why gift-giving during Christmas became a tradition. Yet it must be emphasized again and again, especially to children, that receiving gifts during Christmas is not the central idea of why we have Christmas although everyone can be encouraged to give gifts to the needy.
Gold is considered the king of metals and it is also the metal of kings. The gift of gold to Jesus is an acknowledgment that He is the coming King. On the other hand, frankincense is a kind of oil used as incense and to some ancient people, it was a symbol of deity. Lastly, myrrh was used as an embalming oil and therefore it is a symbol of death. Obviously, Matthew wanted his readers to have an idea of who Jesus is – the King who is the Son of God and who would die for our salvation.
The magi prostrated themselves and paid homage to Jesus. As the Christmas season is about to end, may we pay homage to Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords not just during Christmas but every day of our lives. What better gift to give Him than ourselves as His wise men and women to a world who do not accept Him as King?
*****The gospel passage about the three kings is one of the dramatic scenes of the nativity story. It is indeed a fitting event to cap the wonderful story of Christmas. Jesus is made known to the world (epiphany) as the Son of God, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and the savior of mankind.
The three kings went on a journey of faith. They were not sure of where they were going (hence the inquiry in Jerusalem) but they just believed they would find the king! The gospel tells us that they were overjoyed at seeing the star of Bethlehem and when they saw Baby Jesus and His mother, they prostrated and worshipped Him. Then they offered Him gifts.
As we go back to normal days after celebrating Christmas, may our lives be not as normal as before. May we be like the three kings in our search for a deeper relationship with God. Let Jesus be our real “star of Bethlehem” to guide and lead us in our journey of faith. We may not be sure of what will happen in the new year but with Him on our side, we know we shall overcome any obstacle like “King Herod” on our way. The season of Christmas may have come to an end but let its message of hope, love, joy and peace remain in our hearts. As we continue to worship Jesus Christ, may we be the gifts to other people by sharing these messages. May we also be the “star of Bethlehem” to other people so that they too can find the Messiah.
*****What are you searching? This is a profound question that allows us to deeply reflect on our goals and action plans for the future especially for the new year. The gospel reading above tells us the story of the magi, popularly known as the three kings, who travelled from the Orient to Bethlehem in search of a new-born king.
The story of the magi paints a vivid picture of what it means to seek God with true devotion and offer him the most precious gifts we possess. The magi heard a divine whisper about the birth of the Messiah. They set out on a journey not knowing exactly where the birth place is but trusting in the guidance of a star. In our words, it is their faith, not just the sight of a star, that strengthened their resolve to find the baby.
On their way, the “three kings” met the jealous King Herod who plotted malevolently to eliminate a potential rival to his throne but failed to overcome the plan of God. When the magi arrived in Bethlehem, they didn’t demand any privilege or personal gain. Instead, they humbly offered gifts and gave homage to Baby Jesus.
There are several lessons that the story of the magi can teach us as we embark on our own journey. First, may we seek not what is worldly but a deep and lasting relationship with the divine. Second, we may not be sure of what lies ahead but with faith and divine guidance, we can reach our destination. Third, let us seek God with courage and persistence. No matter what obstacles we meet on the way, may we never give up. Fourth, let us always offer him our precious gifts of love and devotion. Finally, let his light be our guiding star, transforming us along the way into beacons of his love, forever changed by the Epiphany within our souls.
*****
The story of the Magi traveling to worship the newborn King is one of profound inspiration. It is a testament to God’s guidance, the courage to seek truth, and the joy of worshiping Christ with a humble and sincere heart.
A Star to Guide
In the Gospel passage above, wise men from the East saw a star in the sky that signified the birth of a king. The star was not just a celestial body; it was a divine signal, guiding them toward the greatest discovery of their lives.
This star reminds us that God provides guidance to those who seek Him. Life can feel like an uncharted desert at times, but God places “stars” in our path—His Word, His Spirit, and His faithful servants—to lead us closer to Him. Are you looking for God’s guidance today? Trust that He will light your way when your heart is open to following Him.
The Courage to Seek
The Magi were not Jews; they were outsiders. Yet, they recognized the significance of Christ’s birth and undertook a long, perilous journey to find Him. They moved forward, unafraid of the challenges and uncertainties they would face.
Their journey teaches us the value of seeking truth with courage and determination. Following Jesus may sometimes mean stepping out of our comfort zones or risking rejection. However, the joy and peace found in Christ are worth every sacrifice. What “journey” of faith is God calling you to embark on today? Take the first step, trusting He will guide you.
Joy in Worship
When the Magi finally reached the child Jesus, their response was worship. They bowed down before Him and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each gift held profound meaning: gold for a king, frankincense for divinity, and myrrh, symbolizing His future suffering.
Their actions reveal that worship is a response to the recognition of who Christ is. Worship is more than singing or praying—it’s about offering our lives, treasures, and hearts to Jesus. Like the Magi, we should approach Him with reverence, humility, and gratitude.
Have you taken the time today to worship Jesus for who He is — the King of kings, God incarnate, and Savior of the world?
The Warning and Obedience
After their worship, the Magi were warned in a dream not to return to King Herod. Obeying this divine warning, they chose a different route home, avoiding danger and protecting the Christ child.
This part of the story highlights the importance of listening to God’s voice and obeying His instructions, even when they disrupt our plans. God’s ways are higher than ours, and His guidance often protects us from harm. Are you attentive to His voice, and are you willing to adjust your plans when He speaks?
Lessons for Us
1. Seek God with All Your Heart: Just as the Magi diligently sought Jesus, we are called to seek Him in our daily lives. Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
2. Give Your Best to Jesus: The gifts of the Magi were not ordinary—they were precious and meaningful. In the same way, we are invited to give Christ our very best: our time, talents, resources, and love.
3. Follow God’s Guidance: Like the star and the dream that guided the Magi, God provides direction to those who are willing to listen and obey. Seek His wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel.
4. Rejoice in His Presence: When the Magi saw the star, “they were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:10). A relationship with Jesus brings indescribable joy, even in the midst of challenges.
The story of the Magi is a beautiful reminder that God reveals Himself to those who seek Him. He is the guiding star, leading us to the Savior who offers eternal life. As we begin a new day, may we, like the Magi, set our hearts on finding Jesus, worshiping Him with joy, and walking in obedience to His will.
Let the guiding star of His love lead you today, and may your journey bring you closer to His heart.
