The visit of the Magi or the Three Kings

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ and it is represented by the visit of the Magi or the Three Kings. The Epiphany is a Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the Divine Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles represented by the visit of the Magi. You can read today’s gospel reading in Matt: 2:1-12.

“2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi [a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

“9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

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At the beginning of today’s scripture the Magi asked: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” So how did the Magi or the Three Kings know about the birth of the King of the Jews when the Jews themselves did not even know this? This is shrouded in mystery, but by the time of the Middle Ages legend had it that their names were Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar.

One thing was sure, they all came from the east and they were thought to represent the three sons of Noah. Historians believe the magi came from ancient Ur in Chaldea, where Abraham originated. As legend has it, the Magi were skilled in the art of astronomy and astrology and practiced sorcery and the occult as they were able to interpret dreams. But they must have dreamed of the coming of the Messiah long before the birth of Christ because they came from the east.

Since each of the Magi was considered a “king” they must have lived not far from each other and prepared their caravans for the long journey ahead when the Star of David appeared. A caravan worthy of one king would certainly attract attention.

As we all know King Herod called upon the Magi secretly and told them: “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” Of course the Magi knew what lurked in the heart of King Herod who didn’t want any newborn king to compete with his reign. As soon as they resumed their search, the Star of David once more appeared to guide them to the newborn babe.

Upon seeing the Holy Child lying in a manger, they prostrated themselves and made homage to the child Jesus. They then gave gold, which represents the Kingship of Christ; frankincense, a symbol of his priestly role; and myrrh, a prefiguring of his death and embalming. While all these are mere symbols, they are rich in their spiritual meaning.

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