“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’…When they saw the star they were overjoyed. 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, and of incense and of myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
“We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse afar…” These are the opening words of a much loved Christmas Carol. The real story is more interesting because it is a story of science and faith colliding. It is a story that has a much deeper meaning than we realize when we read it casually. It is a story we must read carefully and study to fill in the gaps.
The New International Version as seen in this week’s passage calls the travelers from the east Magi. The Message calls them a “Band of Scholars” and a number of versions call them “Wise Men”. We don’t how many there really were and we don’t even know for sure how far they have travelled. But we can piece the story together with some educated assumptions.
They were gentiles from somewhere east of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, but how far east? It appears it may have taken them as much as two years to arrive at the place they sought. What? You say – they appear in the Nativity scenes we set up. I know they are in mine too. But the passage clearly says “On coming to the house” Jesus was born in a manger, when these travelers arrive; the family is in a house. Read further along and at chapter 2, verse 16 Herod orders all male children two and under killed. They were men of science and perhaps experts in other disciplines as well. Wherever they were from it is likely they had access to the words of the Hebrew prophets – Daniel, Isaiah and others and (here’s the important part) that they believed what they had learned of the coming Messiah otherwise they would not have been looking for a sign signaling His birth. Then of course we know for sure they went to find this foretold King of the Jews, to worship Him and bring him gifts. When it was time to go they acted in obedience to the God of the universe and went home a different way.
So what does it all mean, how can we be encouraged by this. The whole story of the birth of the Savior is to show us that God loves all of us and wants to be in relationship with us. As we look back over the weeks of Advent remember – God chose an ordinary girl and her carpenter fiancé to parent His son. God sent the first birth announcement to shepherds working out in the fields and the only other visitors to the child we read about are the wise, gentile men who traveled a long way when their science collided with faith.
Being a follower of Jesus isn’t about having a crutch. Christianity isn’t a religion of ignorance. Following Jesus requires heart, soul and mind to work together. Following Jesus is what happens when we allow science and faith collides.
Merry Christmas!
A Prayer
Father – what an incredible story plays out in Your Word, a story of creative majesty and eternal love so strong that it reaches through time to tap us on the shoulder and hugs us in a tight embrace when we turn. Thanks you for showing us through regular people – Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the gentile wise men – that you came to save all who see Your Son for who He is – the Savior of the world. May we allow His light to shine as we allow science and faith to collide. In the name of Jesus, who wise men and women still seek – Amen.
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