After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”
When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:
It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”
Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”
Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.
Matthew 2:1-12 (MSG)
In a few Christian denominations, such as Roman Catholicism, their faithful celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings on the first Sunday of the new year or the Sunday after, if the new year falls on January first. A rereading of the source of this celebration in the Message version above, will give you new insight into this event.
First off, they visited the baby in Jerusalem, no not Bethlehem where He was born. Second, they visited the new born king in their house, and no not probably where a manger will be at or shepherds or livestock.
And third, the star appeared again. Yes, it appeared a second time. You know, the story of the birth of Jesus have been retold countless times, story after story and movie after movie, and somehow the real story becomes cloudy.
Here, in reading the story from the source, what is amazing is that what it tells us is that the bright star seems to appear whenever they where looking for the Lord so they can worship Him -- a star or a light to lead the way, to Him.
And why not? He is the light and the way. And that is the truth. And yes, He is that too.
And when they found Him, they couldn't contain it -- His mere presence or even the thought of approaching Him is just so overwhelming.
So from the narrative, the scholars from the east (the magi, the wise men, the three kings, whatever they are called) came not on the night, Jesus was born, but at least 24 hours after. And even up to one or a few months later.We just don't know. And there wasn't a number given. Three is really a small number, it could be a dozen and even more scholars who came, bearing the three gifts. Again, when we read from the source, everything becomes clearer and yes, every time we want to get to know Jesus and worship Him, God will send us light so we can see clearer.
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