READING: Matthew 2:1-12

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 when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘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.”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 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.” 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. 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, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

SERMON

The identity and place of origin of the wise men has been one of much debate and speculation over the years. There are details which are simply not given to us in scripture. How many were there? Who were they? Where were they from?

The New Testament doesn’t help because it does not give the names of the Magi, however, traditions and legends identify a variety of different names for them. In the Western Christian church they have been all regarded as saints and are commonly known as:

Melichior a Persian scholar; Caspar a Indian scholar; Balthasar, a Babylonian scholar.

Of course the most common number is that there were three because they bore three gifts… this may or may not be the case. It is simply not known. It has been said of them that they were Kings, princes and or priests.

Many different locations have been suggested as their origin… the most likeliest being that they were from Arabia or Persia. We are limited to only what truths the scripture gives us concerning these men.

But this much we do know… that they were wise!

The word “wise men” is actually “Magi” from which we get our English word “magician”. But they were not magicians, as we would think they were not experts at slight of hand, and they pulled no rabbit out of their hats.

The word “Magi” in those days referred to those who were experts in the workings of the heavens, and the study of the stars. Someone has suggested that they were “oriental scientists”. If they existed today they would be called “astronomers”.

These men were very probably well educated, and very intelligent, and deserving of the title “wise men” or “magi”… but I believe what truly made them wise was not just their education or intelligence, but also by way of their actions. We can glean much from these men from the Christmas story that will show us what truly makes them wise men? And we can see… if we are just as wise.

1. They Were Wise In Their Decision.
   These men made a decision to seek out, and find he that would be born “The King of the Jews”. This decision was based on their studies, and the information that they had available to them. Stars, Science and Scripture.

While the study of science in our day has led many away from the creator God yet also brought many to God, these men were led, and rightly so into knowing that there was a God who intervened in the affairs of men. Do not the heavens declare the glory of God for are they not they the works of his hand?

The heavens are the canvas of God and he has painted upon it a number of stars that no man can name or number. Just a few weeks ago, the sun was setting, and across the horizon God had painted the most vivid, brilliant colours which no human artist can duplicate. Look at the heavens, the sky, the stars, the plants, and all of creation, and you see the fingerprints of God.

These men were wise in that they too knew that there was something special, something supernatural about the heavens.

I believe that these men of the Christmas story not only made a decision to come to Christ on science, but because of a star. Though they were experts in the study of stars, they at some point located one which they had never seen before. Much speculation too has been made about this star. Was it a planet, a comet, a super nova?

Personally it is my opinion that it was a special star, .a sign from the heavens that something spectacular was taking place on earth … a symbol that the greatest event of humankind was unfolding on the earth … the Messiah had come.

I believe there was something else that was involved in the decision that they made and that was scripture. It has been suggested that these men were not only experts in the study of the heavens, but in prophecy as well and that they had the knowledge of scripture to have known that a “Messiah” was coming.

2. They Were Wise In Their Determination.
   Again… I have read that these men may have travelled thousands of miles on their trek. Apparently, it took them two years to locate where Christ was. You can imagine that they were the subject of much ridicule. They would have been at the brunt of many jokes … going off on a journey chasing a star!

Yet they were convinced, and determined and I would imagine that such a journey would involve much cost yet they remained determined.

It can be easy to imagine that on their journey they would have grown tired, and possibly discouraged along the way but they were determined. Determination is a trait that we all need to possess, and is truly one that can help make one wise but especially is this true when it comes to our relationship with Christ.

These men started off their journey because they saw a star and at some point they began to inquire as to where the baby was to born but upon having their questions answered they rejoiced in seeing the star once again pointing the way to the very spot where he was.

3. They Were Wise In Their Discernment.
   Herod having heard that the men were in town inquiring about the King of the Jews calls secretly for them… and sends them to Bethlehem to search for the child.

He tells them to report back to him when he is found so that the too may come and worship him. The wise men were wise because they were able to discern the jealousy, the hypocrisy, the evil of Herod… and they would be no part of it. These wise men were on a mission, and they would not be side-tracked, not even by Herod who if he found them could have had them killed for disobeying his orders.

4. They Were Wise In Their Discovery.
   In their studies, they probably had discovered many beautiful and wonderful things but they had not discovered anything like they did when they found the Christ child. In Christ Jesus they discovered the Messiah, the King of the Jews, the King of kings, the Star that would come out of Judah, the Bright and Morning Star.
5. They Were Wise In Their Devotion.
   When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented him with gifts. We also must give him gifts. The gifts of devoting ourselves to him. We must worship him and give ourselves to him.
6. They Were Wise In Their Departure.
   They were warned in a dream. God takes care of those who come to Christ. God made them aware of the potential danger of going back the same way they came and so they went a different route. So allow me this morning to say this that all they that come to Christ go away a different route. Once we meet the Christ, once we worship him, we are changed and we are different.

Amen

PRAYERS

Let us pray in the glorious light of Christ who leads his people in all their worship and adoration

As the Wise Men were led to worship the infant Jesus, so lead your church to know you more clearly and to do your work on earth more faithfully. Give us deeper reverence in worship, humbly to adore the mystery of the Incarnation.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

Guide those with authority and influence to acknowledge the lordship of Christ. Teach those who control the resources of the world to use them responsibly. Turn the hearts of those who work only for their own interests and bring them to love others in the freedom of your service.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

Help those who work in our local community, and those with whom we work, to offer their gifts and talents for the good of all. Make us witnesses to your truth through the quiet offering of our lives.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

Bring reconciliation to families broken by misunderstanding. Have mercy on orphaned and neglected children. Visit and relieve the homeless and those driven out by war and persecution.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

We pray for those who have died, that their lives may be fulfilled in eternal life. Comfort those who mourn with the knowledge that are free from al suffering and are close to you for ever.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer

May our offerings be acceptable to the King of glory, revealed to all who seek him diligently in faith.

Merciful Father accept these prayers in the name of your son our saviour Jesus Christ

And so we bind our prayers together in the words that Jesus taught his disciples.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen

Rev’d Kevin
Associate Priest at St.Wilfrid’s and St.Thomas’s