Posted on 12/22/2018 6:47:32 PM PST by pcottraux
Christmas 2018: Who Were the Wise Men?
By Philip Cottraux
The Nativity scene. Amongst the yearly plethora of Christmas trees, gifts, same radio songs playing over and over, and Santa Claus, we constantly look to the Nativity to remind ourselves of the reason for the season. But this year I want to focus solely on one of the strangest aspects of the Christmas story.
The wise men are one of the most iconic images of Christmas. Somehow mixed in all the winter imagery is a forlorn desert-scape under a starry night. Three men dressed as Persian royalty ride camels toward a quaint Middle Eastern village in the middle of nowhere, a star lighting the way. This striking image coincides with the Nativity itself; Mary in a stable having given birth to a glowing baby, the wise men making a ceremonious procession towards the child, bowing down as they humbly surrender frankincense and myrrh to Him.
But the classical depiction of the story is riddled with misconceptions. The Bible never tells us how many wise men there were (travelling in a caravan of only three would have been extraordinarily dangerous). Nor does it give us their names. Despite the popular Christmas song, they are never described as being three kings from the Orient.
Perhaps more damaging is that the scriptures don’t even place the wise men at the birth of Christ. Matthew 2:1-2: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him. Herod was not happy to hear that a prophesied king had been born. But while conspiring to kill anyone he deemed a threat to his own lineage, Herod craftily told them Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also (verse 8).
Considering how long this and the subsequent journey to Bethlehem would have taken, it’s unlikely they arrived at the moment Jesus was born. The text seems to support this; He and His mother are in a house (rather than stable) by the time they arrive.
What’s even more fascinating, however, is how the wise men are portrayed heroically. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (verse 11). An angel warns them of Herod’s deceit. Verse 12: And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
This has a lot to do with why the wise men are so greatly favored in yearly reenactments. We dress our children up as them in Christmas plays. Christian purists tend to get huffed up and defensive at the suggestion they were astrologers, insisting they were only astronomers (actually, astrology and astronomy were barely different at the time).
But now let’s dig into the deep and terrible truth. The term “wise men” in modern translations is a bit misleading. The original Greek word magoi is sometimes pronounced in English as magi. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is the root word for “magic” or “magician.” Magoi was a term used to describe sorcerers, astrologers, or users of witchcraft and divination. Obviously the Bible utterly condemns these practices.
But the fact that the wise men came from the East is even more perplexing. Magi, especially Easterners, were not exactly viewed favorably in Greco-Roman society.
Now, place yourself in the position of an ancient Christian hearing the story of Jesus’ birth for the first time. Imagine the shock when you realize that sorcerers from Persia used astrological signs to locate Jesus, and were actually heroes by not informing Herod where He was. In that way, they are crucial to the early life of Christ. It would almost be like hearing a sermon today on all the great things a Satanist has done for the kingdom of God!
With that in mind, tackling the meaning behind this story becomes an even more monumental task.
The first question is why astrologers from the Far East, who in any Old Testament story likely would have been villains, came searching for the Messiah in the first place. Where did they receive such in-depth knowledge of Judaism, and what drove them to such a passion that they would climb aboard camels and begin such a long journey across the wilderness?
I read many theories on this, but one in particular stood out as the most intriguing. In the book of Daniel, the prophet is taken captive at an early age as an adviser to king Nebuchadnezzar. From the outset, it becomes clear that Daniel’s God is superior; he can successfully interpret the king’s dreams when the “magicians, soothsayers, and astrologers” cannot. Later, Babylon is conquered by the Medo-Persians and Daniel becomes adviser to king Darius. Here’s where the connection might be; there were also astrologers and magicians working at the palace in Shushan. Daniel, who wrote the most exact prophecies of the Messiah, including when He would come, probably worked with them closely for the rest of his life. Centuries later, he was still a revered prophet to the Persians. The Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint (translated in the 300s BC) uses the same word magoi in Daniel to describe the astrologers.
Centuries later, these foreign priests, heretics to the Jews, were actually anticipating the arrival of the Daniel’s Messiah. The star was the sign they were looking for.
Now here’s where things get interesting. In December 2015, I wrote a Christmas blog entitled Where Does the Bible Say to Celebrate Christmas? You can click the link to read it, but here’s the conclusion; the Jews claimed to be looking for the Messiah to deliver them from Rome. It was spelled out clearly in the Old Testament when and where Jesus would be born. Theoretically, all of Israel and Judah should have been at Bethlehem awaiting His arrival. It should have been a nationwide celebration. Heaven was so excited the Spirit searched all of Judah looking for someone to share the news with. But it only found hearts that weren’t ready. And so in the end, only a group of lowly shepherds were told by the angels to go see the Christ-child.
It reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. The Samaritans were a despised people, outcasts of Jewish society. Priests, the alleged representations of God, pass by a man in need without stopping. But a Samaritan comes by the traveler and assists him. It’s an accusation against the hypocrisy of self-righteous religious leaders who are so caught up in legalism they neglect to help those in need.
The wise men are along the same vein. Instead of the religious leaders bringing valuable gifts in reverence to the holy Child, a group of foreign heathens, demonic practitioners of astrology and magic, sought Him out.
It symbolizes the ultimate destiny of Christ’s mission; to reach beyond the Jews to the Gentiles. It was foreshadowed the moment He was born. The shepherds were Jews. The magi were Gentiles. This is exactly the order in which the church would be established after Jesus was gone. Christianity started in Judah, then spread to the Gentile world in Rome, then reached out to all corners of the earth. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord shall call (Acts 2:39).
-Tenny, Merrill C., ed. Pictorial Bible Dictionary. Nashville: The Southwestern Company, 1968, Page 501.
-Religion for Breakfast: The 3 Wise Men: Ancient Magicians?
-Reasons to Believe: 28:19 Episode 49
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I just saw a sermon on it and the guy seemed to know what he was talking about. They were astrologers probably from Persia.
The light they followed was not a star. It could not have been as it moved or stayed in one place rather than move as the stars do.
They definitely were from the East of Bethlehem, and I might add, they were not kings. Also one of them was not a Sub-Saharan African as is often shown.
A few key findings:
1. The "star" was most likely an arrangement of planets in the night sky that changed over time as the astrologers traveled. It would not have been anything unusual for most people who saw it, since Herod had to ask the scholars in his court about when it appeared in the sky.
2. The "star" wasn't giving them directions. They knew where they were going, and even the very last leg of the journey to Jerusalem from Herod's court in Jerusalem is a distance of less than six miles, and would have been known to anyone traveling there.
Would you mind adding me to your list? TY.
John Macarthur talked about this and his theory was very similar in that the Magi were inspired by what Daniel had taught centuries earlier. He also posited that the star was God’s shekinah or brilliance.
Well, Im 100% sure it’s not Pelosi, Schumer and Kamala Harris.
"Sure. Not quite wise enough to pack any, huh?"
It is quite an interesting read.
I have to share something here. My wife is from Mexico. Her English is really good but one thing she says every Christmas is “the three wise guys.”
I try to explain to her what “wise guy” means in English but she doesn’t quite get it and I am usually laughing too hard to make my point clear.
After 26 Christmases it just sort of is.
They were wise enough not to tell you.
The Bible tells us.
January 6 2019
The Epiphany of the Lord
Reading 1
Is 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.
R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Reading 2
Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Alleluia
Mt 2:2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.
History of the Magi: Who were the Wise Men?
Why “Celebrate” Christmas—and the Epiphany?
On Christmas and Epiphany
Happy Epiphany! ...sort of
6th January, The Epiphany of Our Lord
St. John Chrysostom's Homily for the Feast of the Theophany (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Wise Men from the East and the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord [Ecumenical]
Ancient Document Sheds New Light on Magi Story
The Epiphany of the Lord
Straight Answers: Who Were the Magi?
OU Professor Says Ancient Text Reveals Startling Information About Magi, Star of Bethlehem
The Gift of the Magi
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh On the Feast of the Epiphany
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (THEOPHANY) OF OUR LORD - January 6, 2010
New security as pope leads Mass for Epiphany
The Magi and the Star -- Epiphany Explored
Three Kings festivities in full swing around [Puerto Rico]
"A strange mingling of light and shadow..." On the Feast of Epiphany
Wise Men from the East -- Epiphany
The Feast of the Epiphany
The Magi and the Star
The Secret Life of the Magi Kings [Epiphany]
Wise Men from the East [Ecumenical - with a question]
Feast of the Epiphany (2)
Feast of the Epiphany (1)
Epiphany (when the Gentile visitors brought gifts) [Ecumenical]
Twelfth Night [Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany]
A Christmas Pilgrimage (maintaining Christmas until Epiphany)
Christmastide and Epiphany
Epiphany Revealed (Did the Wise Men Really Have Names?)
For the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord 'Three Kings' Seek, Find, and Worship the Lord
The Universal King
Helena's (Mother of Constantine) Epiphany Meditation
EPIPHANY - THREE KINGS - January 6 (Holy Day of Obligation)
The Epiphany of the Roman Primacy
Thousands watch teens dive for the cross in Tarpon Springs
The Season of Epiphany
Tarpon Springs Celebrates Epiphany
100th Epiphany Day Event Will Be Global Celebration
Patriarch Adds To Epiphany Pomp
Ready for "Little Christmas"?
The Magi and the Host
Another Christian Holiday Celebrated
Christmas and Epiphany
India's Zoroastrians and the Three Kings for Jesus
Journeying with the Magi
Who Were The Magi?
Were the Magi who visited Jesus -- Persian?
The Journey of the Magi
A friend of the family, Dr. Colin Nicholl, wrote a book about this. He collaborated with modern astronomers in order to substantiate his conjectures. The book is available from Amazon and is titled: The Great Christ Comet.
He located a comet which would have first made an appearance east of Persia alerting the Magi of the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. He says that the comet they posit would have first appeared to have been “Birthed” by Virgo (the virgin, get it?). It then would have been in danger from one of the beastly constellations (I forget which) which attempted to snatch it as it emerged between Virgo’s legs in birth. Dr. Nicholl appeals to Revelation 12 where the child of the woman was attacked by the dragon. At this point the comet sinks below the horizon to appear in the west where it led the Magi to the baby Jesus.
This isn’t as far afield as you might think. The Jews, and thus Daniel, were “into” the constellations and would have told stories to their children about Virgo and the others.
The Magi would have arrived in Herod’s court with confirmation that the promised Messiah had been “born”. The movements of this comet would have given the Magi time to travel from Persia in time for the comet to lead them the rest of the way.
Lost me at the end.
Jesus has risen.
Jesus is not gone.
Epiphany has been removed from many secular calendars the reason might be because the Roman rite since the 2nd Vatican changed the observance to the first Sunday after New Years formerly known as The Feast of Circumcision. Despite this I encourage its observance knownas the 12th day of Christmas.
On This “Little Christmas”
January 6th
Once Upon a Time and not too long ago
The Twelfth Night Of Christmas
was celebrated with a ball
From the the Day of Babes Birth
and the 11 thereafter
kith and kin were paid a visit
and friends from far and near
once were paid a call
So on this day I pray
in the spirit that this date recalls
Let the gift of homage of kings gain
in the spirit
of the days this season yet remain
ere it wanes
Be thine Blessings Great
and misfortunes thee none befall
http://www.theusmat.com/natdesk.htm
I love the moniker, “Little Christmas.”
An interesting meditation I found several years about about the Wise Men and the symbolism of their gifts to Jesus.
http://www.bswett.com/1960-12Myrrh.html
MYRRH IS MINE — A Christmas Dream
(probably from hearing “We Three Kings of Orient Are” by John H. Hopkins, and wondering what kind of idiot would take myrrh to the birth of a king.)
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume,
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in a stone-cold tomb.
Have her watch some “3 Stooges.” They use the term wise guy often.
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