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.
I wonder what happenned to the Eastern astrologers later on – did they ever get to find out about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, or did they just go back and carry on studying stars. Intriguing
How wonderful to have confirmation that you are “in the right place”
I wonder how tough the journey had been for them.
It’s terrible but i always seem to forget how dramatic this story is (and it’s only just got started!) and just recall it in ‘nativity play’ kind of way…but the way Joseph, Mary and the astrologers stepped out in faith is amazing.
It;s amazing how manipulative politicians can be when backed into a corner isn’t it! What was it that someone once said about power corrupting?! Can we see any modern day equivalents of Herod? (loaded question!!) And, I guess, before I get too critical I ought to acknowledge my own tendency to be a bit underhanded sometimes when looking out for my own interests! Thank God (literally!) that this dark episode ends with the reminder that God is just a bit cleverer than Herod (and all those who follow in his footsteps!)
My 8 year old asked yesterday “WHY do we give presents at Christmas Mum?”. On the way home from school we talked about the fact that it’s Jesus’ birthday and, since he isn’t physically on earth but lives inside of us – we are giving gifts to each other – which symbolises that and also symbolises love. Ellie chirped up “Yeah, but wasn’t it also because the 3 wise men gave presents?”. “Umm – yeah – that too” I said, and added … “but that day, God gave us the greatest gift of all didn’t he?”
“Is that love mum?”.
“Mmmnnnn…. and, he gave us himself, in earthly form – he gave us Jesus, and God IS love …. and he gave us forgiveness and salvation and…..”
To be honest guys, I don’t actually KNOW but these are my guesses and it was nice to talk with her about it. Would also have been nice if I could remember the special significance of the wise mens’ gifts ….. heard it in a sermon once…. way back….. anyone?
Pam, As I understand it, the significance of the 3 gifts is: Gold for a king, Frankincense for a priest, and Myrrh for anointing a body for burial. Pretty prescient (there’s a word from the thesaurus!) of them, eh?! And they weren’t even Jewish or God-worshippers as far as we know!
Now you can have another conversation with your daughter – let us know what she says!
Jen – The worst part is most nativity plays get it 75% wrong. There’s no innkeeper, no inn, no stable and no donkey in the bible accounts… We need to organise a demonstartion with placards against these ‘dodgy’ events – or alternatively I’ll sit adoringly at my kids school nativity play on Friday and once again pretend that was the way it happenned!
Thanks Frances – I will – at the next opportunity!
Richard – I saw an amazing documentary once that traced the nativity to the actual place it happened. The “Stable” and the “Manger” were NOTHING like either. The Stable, apparently, would have been a kind of cave-like building amongst many others, where animals were kept over winter and the manger – a kind of ditch running through the middle of it where they chucked the animal food (if my memory serves me correctly). It would have been very noisy, very smelly, and small. REALLY brought the story home to me. If they repeat this and I spot it in the telly guide….. I’ll let you all know.
The thing that has struck me again with this passage is that sacrifice began right from the outset of Jesus birth. As soon as that screaming child was born it demanded sacrifice – not only God’s sacrifice of sending his son, but also the the sacrifice of those who came into contact with him…that is if they really wanted to encounter him intimately.
It involved sacrifice from Mary and Joseph – not just bringing him Jesus up, but also having to flee as illegal immigrants as a result of Herod’s action in this passage.
The shepherd’s and wise men’s encounter caused them to leave what they were doing and bow in addoration to the King (sound’s like the same call as the disciples to me!).
Following on from the presents discussion….and I know this might be a little contentious(!)………might it be we give lots of presents to each other coz this doesn’t really demand the same sacrifice as Jesus is looking for and is an easy option…and might it be that the challenge at Christmas for us is to come more sacrificially to God (not necessarily financially) and not get as hung up, or allow our children to get as hung up, on the presents.
Pam, I wonder if the question posed by your daughter yesterday was a reflection of the fact that it really doesn’t make sense to give each other presents (out of the mouths of babes?)
See…..I said it was a little contencious!!!!
Typical that it was the presents that seemed to jump out at me in this passage! Although obviously the wise men wouldn’t have had anyone to give the presents to before they’d located Jesus, i think theres’s a nice parallel i can draw for myself at christmas. That searching for where Jesus is and how he fits into my life at this time of year should be my priority- then maybe exchanging presents and gifts can happen. Thats my attempt at giving consumerist Christmas a chance anyway, hah!
Steve and Josh – I hope you check back at this page coz I want to say how much I loved your comments and agree with them. My little girl is such an avid Christian (at age 8) and she would probably love to read this blog herself as she’s always wanting to discuss God/Jesus/the Bible (puts ME to shame). This is going to be a LOVELY angle to discuss with her actually! (Don’t worry I’m good at getting it all into 8 year old speak and she really DOES understand the ‘giving yourself and your life to Jesus’ bit and says, at such a tender age that that’s exactly what SHE wants to do. Mmmmnnnnn…… lets see what happens at 13……)!
Erm why did I get a smiley when I typed eight as a figure?
The Nativity play idea with the donkey and all is supposedly the product of St Francis of Assisi in his attempt at trying to make the bible live for those he was preaching to in medieval Italy. If true, it has quite a long history as a European story of the nativity even if not quite bibical. And yes, if you go to Bethlehem you will find three versions of the shepherds’ fields and the caves that they lived in out there, as well as the supposed cave that was the stable of the nativity. But it is difficult to see it as it was then – if that (or the cave next door) was the place – because there is a shrine and church built on top and around it.
If you get the chance to go to the Holy Land please go – it will challenge you but give you a new understanding of the bible and your faith. Wonderful place.