January 9, 2025
Epiphany - Part 4
Matthew 2:9-11
01/09/2025
9 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.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly
with great joy.
11 And going into the house they saw the child with
Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped
him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered
him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (ESV)
The Wise Men from the east were seeking the King of the
Jews. Having learned of the prophecy by Micah, they took their
leave of Herod in Jerusalem and traveled to Bethlehem.
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. And going into
the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and
they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their
treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and
frankincense and myrrh.
Was the star the Magi followed a rare conjunction of planets
or other stellar bodies? Was the star a miracle which will never
be repeated? We don't know, but many theologians and astronomers
have proposed different answers to this question. We will leave
speculation about the star to some other occasion.
The gifts brought by the Magi were a testimony about the
Child. Gold is the perfect gift to pay tribute to a king, and
Jesus is certainly the King of Creation. Frankincense gives a
pleasing odor as it burns, the smoke rising. Often incense is
likened to the prayers of the faithful to God, as the Psalmist
said, ``Let my prayers rise before you as incense.''[1] Myrrh is
used to embalm a body before burial.
The gifts proclaimed that Jesus is the King, true God, who
will die for His people.
May our Lord grant that we recognize the Infant of Bethlehem
as confessed by the Wise Men who sought Him. Amen.