Based on the Gospel of Matthew 2: 1-12
Looking for a king, guided by a mysterious star. This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord and, in the Gospel, we hear about the Magi’s adoration of the Christ Child.
The word “epiphany” means to show forth or to make an appearance. Matthew’s Gospel is the only Gospel which tells of the Magi’s visit to the baby Jesus.
Following the star shows the Magi – important, wise, and learned men – must have studied the stars. They had noticed a new star in the sky and considered it a sign that a special king had been born. So, they began their journey to look for the newborn king.
The Magi were not Jews. It is said they came from “the East,” perhaps from countries such as Arabia, Persia, Babylon, or somewhere else east of Palestine. Following a star for a long trip must have been hard for the Magi.
Having arrived in Jerusalem, the Magi asked where they could find the newborn king. When Herod, the king of Judea, heard about this, called the Magi to his palace. He sent them to Bethlehem to search for the child and told them to let him know so he, too, could honor the newborn king.
The star led them to Bethlehem where they found the baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph. It has been thought the Magi were kings and were named Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar. Filled with joy and gladness, they knelt in adoration before Jesus and gave him their gifts. Melchior brought gold, a costly metal used by kings and a sign of Jesus royalty; Caspar brought frankincense, a type of incense that gives off a pleasant smelling smoke and a sign of Jesus’ holiness. Balthasar brought myrrh, a perfumed ointment used to prepare the dead for burial and a sign of Jesus’ humanity and his future suffering and death.
The Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod’s palace. They went back to their countries by another way.
Their visit shows that Jesus came to earth out of love for all the peoples of the world.
God also gives us “stars” we can follow – parents, family, the church, the Mass, the Scriptures, priests, religious, teachers, friends, and books. They can all lead us to Jesus, the Savior of the world!
