Advent: December 19
Something BIG was happening. In time and space it was felt, even palatable, the hour, pregnant with anticipation for the Year of our Lord. It had been thousands of years since Eden, thousands since Abraham. Nature had eagerly awaited its king, the angels with all their hosts had marveled to see such things happening. It was finally time! Christ had come! What we, thousands of years afterwards, have is the benefit of seeing how each piece of the story fits together.
When the Magi ask for the "King of the Jews", not only were they referencing a title given specifically to the Messiah, but, we see at Easter, it is the exact inscription that was nailed above Jesus while he was on the cross.
Jesus was the rightful King of the Jews, and no evil plan of Herod's would prevail against him.
Herod is so far removed from his Jewish heritage that he has to ask the Chief Priest and scribes to look up the prophecy and check where the Christ child was to be born.
They come back with This passage from Micah,
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Herod was known for being ruthless,but he was also known for his cunning. He does two things. He asks the wise men SECRETLY for the specific time the star had appeared, and then lies to them, saying “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” Matt. 2:8
It is possible that the wise men stayed a good amount of time with Herod to restock and refresh their supplies. It is likely that they had quite an entourage of people with them. The traditional caravan of the day traveled in groups of 12 yet because these wise men were in pursuit of the Christ, it is possible that they may have wanted to bring their families with them. Either way, it could have been a massive company. Traveling at this time was risky business. It would not be surprising for these well connected Magi to bring with them a small army to protect them and the costly gifts they were transporting.
As the wise men prepared to leave again, the star which had in some respect seemed to have disappeared, suddenly reappears in the sky. This time we are told they are able to follow it to where the Christ child is. Which is likely where we have left them in our story, their home in Nazareth.
Jesus at this point was no longer a baby, but likely one to two years of age.
When the Magi see the child, they fall down and worship him. This was not just happy praise, but adoring veneration. This would be a face to the ground, prostate-type worship where, with trembling hands, they laid their treasures (mere gold, frankincense, and myrrh) before the King of the Universe.
