MAGI
The Magi were Medes from the Median tribe that was part of the Persian empire. They had tried to overthrow the Persians and establish the rule of Medes. When that failed, they became a tribe of priests like the Levites of Israel. They also served as teachers and advisors of the Persian Kings. Hence, they were men of holiness and wisdom.
Magi were experts in all branches of knowledge. They were also astrologers, fortune tellers, and interpreters of dreams. The Bible does not specify how many wise men came. One tradition is that they were 12. The universal acceptance of them being three has links to the three gifts the Magi gave to Infant Jesus. The legends gave them names: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar.
Matthew does not specify the Magi as kings. Some Old Testament texts predicted the visit of kings with the same gifts that Magi brought (Ps 72:10, 15; Isa 60:6). That led to the interpretation that the Magi were kings. Another interpretation came from Palms 72:11. “All kings bow down to him, and all nations serve him.” According to the Western church tradition, “Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia or sometimes Ethiopia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Magi). East of Jerusalem can mean Arabia, Persia, or Mesopotamia. The traditional concept is that Magi came from Persia.
The Magi came to Jerusalem, the capital city of Jews, because they assumed that the King of the Jews might be born in that royal city. The star that guided them withdrew for a while, prompting them to inform the birth of the Messiah to King Herod, the priests, and the Jewish scholars. They signified the royal, priestly, and prophetic representatives of God. He thus communicated to them the incarnation of His Son as the eternal king, priest, and prophet. However, the narrow-minded leaders ignored the important message because it came through the Gentile kings.
The question of the Magi, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews?” (Mt 2:2) implies that the Magi were not Jews. People in the East nursed the belief that a sovereign king of the world would arise from Judaea. Both the Jews and the Gentiles were awaiting the divinely promised king.
According to the scholars, by the time the Magi arrived, Jesus might have grown a few months and the Holy Family might have found someone’s house for their temporary stay in Bethlehem until Mary could travel back to Nazareth with the baby. So, Matthew writes the Magi entered not a stable, but a house (Mt 2:11).
MAGI AND STAR
A star can be any celestial object. Modern astronomers calculated that the star appeared to the Magi was Jupiter and so, not a star in the strict modern sense. There was an ancient belief that a new star would appear at the birth of a ruler.
MAGI AND GIFTS TO JESUS
According to tradition, the Magi were of different ages. Melchior was an old man with grey hair and a long beard, who presented gold, acknowledging the kingship of the child. Gaspar (Caspar) was young and beardless who brought frankincense, honoring Jesus as God. Balthasar was middle-aged, dark-complexioned with a black beard carrying myrrh, portending his sacrificial death.
The offerings represent the threefold functions of Jesus. Frankincense is an aromatic that is used in holocaust offerings because animal sacrifices emit a bad odor. It stood for Jesus, the new High Priest and the Lamb of God who sacrificed his life by replacing all the earlier animal sacrifices. People used myrrh in perfuming ointments to anoint the representatives of God: prophets, priests, and king. So, it stood for the prophetic role of Jesus. Ancient people used myrrh to embalm dead bodies. Thus, it also signified the death and burial of Jesus. The offering of gold, the king of metals, represented the kingship of Jesus, though his kingship differed from that of worldly kings. These three valuable gifts would have stood the Holy family in good stead at a difficult time because of their unexpected stay in Bethlehem and later in Egypt as refugees.
MAGI AFTER THEY LEFT BETHLEHEM
A fourteenth-century cleric John of Hildesheim in his writing Historia Trium Regum (The History of the Three Kings), gives the story of what happened to the Magi: The three wise men, Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar, were kings of “Ind, Chaldea, and Persia.” They traveled non-stop from their own lands, “in great haste.” When they departed Bethlehem after worshipping the Infant Jesus, they continued together until they reached the Hill of Vaws, or Hill of Victory, on the border of Ind. It was here that the star first appeared to the Magi. There was a watchtower there. Before leaving for their own countries, the three kings agreed to meet at that place once a year. They also decided that their burial should be at the Hill of Vaws.
Years later, a star appeared above the cities in which the kings lived just before Christmas, signifying to them they were near death. They gathered at the Hill of Vaws and built a large tomb for them. When they died, the grieving local people buried them in the same tomb.
Queen Saint Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, collected the bodies of the three kings and brought them into the Church of Saint Sophia in Constantinople in the Fourth century. At a later period, because of the persecution of Christians, Emperor Mauricius moved the relics to a Church in Milan. In the 12th century, Roman Emperor Frederick I awarded the relics to the Archbishop of Cologne Rainald von Dassel for offering him military aid to win a war in Italy against Milan. So, the archbishop moved the relic to Cologne in 1164 (https:// archive.archaeology.org/online/reviews/threekings).
The Church in Cologne keeps the relics now above and behind the high altar of the Catholic Cathedral there. The Church venerates the Magi as saints. The tradition of exchanging gifts during the Christmas season has its origin in the giving of gifts by the three kings to the Infant Jesus.
REFLECTION
1: The Faith of the Magi
The journey of the Magi to find the newborn King of the Jews is a profound testament to their faith and commitment. These wise men, hailing from the Persian Empire, embarked on a long and arduous journey, guided by a star, to honor Jesus. Let us be inspired by their faith and seek Jesus with the same fervor and dedication.
2: The Significance of the Gifts
The gifts presented by the Magi – gold, frankincense, and myrrh—hold deep symbolic meanings. Gold signifies Jesus’ kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh His future sacrificial death. These offerings not only honored Jesus but also reflected His roles as King, God, and Savior. Let us remember the significance of these gifts and recognize Jesus’ divine roles in our lives.
3: Perseverance in Faith
The Magi’s determination to find Jesus despite numerous obstacles is a powerful example of perseverance in faith. Traveling from the East, they followed a star that led them to Bethlehem. Even when the star momentarily disappeared, they did not give up but continued their search. Their journey reminds us to persist in our own spiritual quests, seeking Jesus with unwavering determination and faith.
4: The Magi’s Legacy
The legacy of the Magi extends beyond their visit to the infant Jesus. Their relics have been venerated through the centuries, and the tradition of exchanging gifts during Christmas traces back to their offerings. This legacy reminds us of the importance of faithfulness and the spirit of giving. As we exchange gifts during Christmas, let us do so with a spirit of love and gratitude, honoring the greatest gift we have received – Jesus Christ.
5: Accepting the Messiah
The Magi recognized Jesus as the Messiah, while the Jewish leaders of the time did not. This contrast highlights a critical choice we face today: to seek and accept Jesus or to remain indifferent. The Magi’s journey and devotion encourage us to choose wisely, embracing Jesus as our eternal King, High Priest, and Prophet. Let their example inspire us to worship Jesus with true devotion and heartfelt gratitude.