vibrant

Matthew 2:1-12
Micah 5:1-6
Psalm 72:10-11
Isaiah 60:1-7
Luke 24:13-32

Here, Day 11

For years we had studied the stars, each of them documented meticulously and monitored closely. We knew each of them intimately and their fixed place in the sky. So, when Melchior told me a new star, shining brighter than all the rest, had been sighted the night before, my suspicion and confusion were palpable.
A new star? How could it be? One that was brighter? Unbelievable.

But that night, as we stepped out to observe the night sky, there it was, as sure and prominent as described; a beautiful, vibrant star outshining all others against a blackened sky, truly unlike anything I’d seen before.

After our observations, we went in and sat together, too delighted about our recent discovery to go our separate ways and settle for the night. We began discussing the possibilities of where the star originated, but after hours of spinning every theory, we decided to rest our heads and rally again the next day.

Over the next few weeks we overheard rumbles and rumors of the King of Jews being born! Of course! The Jewish prophecy! Could it be connected to the new star? It must be! After much discussion, several of us decided to make a quest to meet the newborn King of the Jews – to worship the One whom prophets across the world had foretold.

During the next months as we prepared for our journey, we kept a close watch on the star. From where we were, we saw its steady, unwavering glow from the west, mysteriously beckoning us to draw near. Finally, we were ready and we turned our caravan west towards Jerusalem, using the star as guidance.

When we arrived, we requested an audience with King Herod to inquire about the birth of the King of the Jews. We were ushered into an ornate room and welcomed with grandeur as we approached King Herod. He seemed pleased that men of such knowledge had requested an audience, but we were focused not on the king in front of us, but on the newborn King foretold centuries before.

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”, I inquired, “For we’ve seen His star at its rising and have come to worship Him!”

Much to my surprise, King Herod’s face swelled with anger and he ordered his servants to escort us out of the palace court at once. Four men came to usher us away and we murmured in confusion to one another as Herod shouted for the Chief Priests to be assembled in his presence.

We waited and waited. Soon it grew dark and we were provided beds within the palace and commanded to stay until the King was ready to have an audience with us once more. Exhausted from our travels, and the unexpected turn of events, we settled in and hoped for the opportunity to see the child King soon.

King Herod requested our presence late the next day in a secret room. When we walked in and with no others around, he quietly asked us when we had first seen the star appear. After giving him the requested information he said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”

So, we went on our way in wonder, eagerly following the star that moved ahead of us toward Bethlehem. Some time into the journey, the star that mysteriously moved along with us finally stopped above a small house. This is where the Child would be!

Each of us eagerly pulled our gifts for the young King from our pouches. Of course, He was only a child, but nothing else seemed fit for a King of this magnitude. One who had been foretold by the prophets. Even though we brought the finest of gifts, it still felt as though we did not have enough.

We walked toward the house with the gifts:
Gold – the precious metal fit only for a King. Presenting it would acknowledge the child’s rightful place as King.

Frankincense – the oil used to anoint the high priests of the Jewish tradition and used in temple worship, recognizing this boy as High Priest.

Myrrh – an expensive oil often used for beauty and symbolizing suffering as the prophets had foretold He would suffer.

We walked into the house, and there we saw a most radiant child. Instantly, we were drawn to our knees and worshipped Him as our own King! Our hearts burned as we were in His presence, and we presented our gifts to the little Christ. What an honor to be with Him, even for a brief time! His mother told us they had received visitors from all around who had come to see if the news was true.

That night with our hearts still bursting, we fell asleep. In a dream, I was warned not to return to Herod with news and whereabouts of the child. The next morning when we re-convened, I told my fellow magi about my dream, and they had received the same warning! Confident we should not report back to Herod, we began our journey back East in awe of all that had happened and praising the God of the Jews, the joy of His presence never leaving our hearts.

What had begun as an odd curiosity, had upended our lives as we’d journeyed to meet this King. We would never be the same!

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