A Visit of Kings

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops tells us that the word Magi was “originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge. Matthew’s magi are astrologers.” (USCCB)

The traditional names for the Magi are Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. We assume there are three traditionally since there were three distinct gifts, but truly we don’t know how many there were. They may have come in a caravan most likely. There could have been only two or perhaps 12; we’ll never know in this life. We only know they came from the east and likely arrived around 18 months after Jesus was born. The journey would have taken a long time and they started when the star was ‘rising’ so it’s safe to assume they didn’t show up with the shepherds. Also, children were still called infants if they were under two years and they found him in the house, not a stable.

Regardless of historical clarification, the point is still clear: the wisest of men came from far away to do homage to an infant whom they recognized as a newborn King. They were not Jewish or from that area or being held by any obligation but their own wisdom and hearts. They came bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are very significant gifts, showing how wise they truly were.

Gold is for a king for they knew Jesus is the true King of kings. They gave no gifts to Herod, though he was a king in that land. They hardly gave him more respect than those around him. For Jesus, their gift was lavish and generous, and probably paid for his family to escape and find a home in Egypt later (though we can’t be sure.)

Frankincense is a gift for priests as it’s offered in worship. They knew Jesus is the High Priest and their gift signifies this. Why else would someone bring a priestly gift to an infant unless they knew that Infant would be destined for such a cause?

Myrrh is a gift for burial. They knew, also, that as King and High Priest, Jesus must also suffer and die. Myrrh is an anointing oil used for priestly things but especially in embalming the dead. We never hear of it again but we know the holy women came to Jesus’s tomb the next day with supplies only to find it empty. We can wonder if they were carrying the myrrh.

As the year goes on, can we think to offer such gifts to our King, our High Priest, our Savior? Let us give Him our riches, dedicating our possessions to His Will. Let us give Him our time and devotion, offering Him worship and prayer daily. Let us give Him our suffering, complaining less and bearing more as He once bore so much for the entire world that we might be with Him one day in heaven. Let us be a little more like the Magi.