My sister-in-law loves to go to
Christmas pageants because they never quite go as planned. The year I played
Joseph, Mary's dad agreed to play one of the Magi and sing a solo verse of We
Three Kings
. What no one knew was that his sons had sung the rubber cigar
version every time he tried to practice.
When he began his verse during the
pageant, Mary and I immediately recognized he started on the second line of the
verse. When her dad ran out of words, he sang La, la, la, la, la, la
for the
last line. The stunned choir was silent during the refrain as tears of laughter
streamed down our vicar's face.
2,000 years ago, King Herod the
Great was not laughing when the Magi asked Where is He who is born King of the
Jews?
(Matthew 2:1-12). Clearly, the Magi must have had some international
stature and they must have had a major caravan; otherwise, Herod would have
killed them on the spot.
Their explanation of the star had to intrigue Herod. If my theory about the star is correct, these Babylonians probably had at least one of the clay tablets dated to 8 BC talking about the triple conjunction to show him.
Herod had a reputation for knowing the Old Testament. He knew the Messianic prophecies of a king from David's line—something Herod was not. Herod would not have been pleased when the scribes told him the story about Simeon and Anna. Herod was tight with the Romans and had to nip this in the bud. Finally, the scribes found Micah 5:2 telling where the Magi should look.
No major caravan leader in his right mind would chance a surprise attack at night. With the incredible faith that brought them to Israel, the Magi set out on the six-mile journey to Bethlehem. The final conjunction on December 25th set in the southwestern sky on the silhouette of the house with the Holy Family.
An amazed Joseph opened his door to Gentiles seeking Jesus. He and Mary must have been stunned when the Magi presented the extremely expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the child. Like the angels, shepherds, and prophets, the Magi were drawn to Jesus like a moth to a light.
Where is He who is born King of the Jews in your life?
Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(J. Wesley McComb is a published author and a member of Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 7th St, Slidell, 643-4531.)
© by The Slidell Independent newspaper; originally published on January 14, 2010. Used by permission of publisher and author.