Christmas message based on the Magi

Rev Ngamjapao Haokip *

At the outset, I greet every readers of The Sangai Express and especially, who are eagerly waiting for the wonderful and miraculous birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In the month of December every year, through out the world—whether the Christians or non-Christians—people are so enthusiastically moving here and there to share about the birth of Jesus.

The 25th of December is so memorable day for the Christians that every believer seeks joy because the redeemer comes to redeem the whole world. At the time of the Child's birth many incidents of various forms occur.

In this joyous occasion the so called 'wise men' were among those who play great role in the fulfilment of the Birth of Jesus. Let us see now how the wise men have been engaged in this Christmas occasion.

In Gospel Matthew 2:1-11. we find that the wise men offered their valuable gifts to the child. First of all let us see the meaning.

A. Meaning :­

The original word of the wise men is Magi, meaning learned men in medicine, nature, astrology and various sciences. During the time of Jesus when there was no scientist, the wise men were considered scientists.

B. Nature of Work :­

The Magi were used for the following works.
1. Advisor to the king (Political adviser/adviser to the administration.)
2. Dream translator.
3. Astrologer, (They were able to Predict the forthcoming consequences through the observation of stars, and heavenly, bodies)
4. They were also associated with natural medicines and other magical works. In brief, they were profoundly, honoured and used highly, the kings and the subjects were almost dependent of their future on them.

C. Tradition :­

There are two traditions.
i) Syric tradition. According to this tradition, there were 12 wise men in the east.
(ii) West tradition. According to this tradition, they claimed that there would be only three wise men, since we found only three gifts offered to Jesus.

D. Names and Gifts :­

Tradition listed all the names of the 12 wise men. Among them the following three wise men believed to have offered precious gifts to Jesus at the time of his birth at Bethlehem. Casper (Gold) Melchior (Frank­incense) Balthasan (Myrth).

E. Origin of the three wise men

a) Casper is believed to have come from India. By the time Jesus was born, India was rich enough in gold, the name Casper is also associated with India.
b) Melchior is believed to have come from Persia. Because Persia was very famous for Frankincense.
c) Balthasar is believed to have come from Arabia. Because Arabia was very famous of Myrth. All this three is based on western tradition.

F. Fulfilment of the prophecy

The visit of the three wise men to Jesus is claimed to be the fulfilment of the prophecies; eg (a) Balaam's prophecy of the star of Jacob (Num. 24: 17) (b) David's prophecy of the worship of all kings (wise men) in Ps. 72:11 (Note: By that time wise men were also known as kings. Practically, they were kings. Kings were theoretically, kings, why? Because, kings were dependent on the advise of Magi.

G. Significance of the Gift

In the east any gift has a meaning. They did not gift as they like, but they give gift traditionally.
Gold: It was a gift to the king (honour of the highest status) which signifies that Jesus will be the king of kings.
Frankinecense : This was a gift to the priest or used for sacrificial purpose only for incence or odour, this gift signifies that Jesu will be the high Priest and he himself will be the object of sacrifice instead of the lamp.
Myrth : It was a gift to the death; this signifies that Jesus will die for our sin.

H. Star

a) Form : It is greatly disputed, some claimed that the star appeared like Comet, Meteor or like a morning star. If we were living during the time of Jesus we would have seen or heard clearly. It is not easy to trace the factual data of the centuries. It occurred in 4 BC whereas we are living now in 21st century. Syriac traditional maintained that the star appeared with a mother carrying a baby in her arm.

It is also added that the baby was carrying a cross on his shoulder. Many modern scholars and scientists could not believe it, but one fact we found in the Bible that "a bright shining star" was visible.

The Bible does not describe the whole form of the star, but to me nothing will be unbelievable because God in the history is a MIRACULOUS God who performed many miracles, the total universe is under His control. He holds the universe. For with God, nothing is impossible (Lk. 1:37; 18:27).

This Bible verse tells us clearly that God can do anything, yes anything. If this is the case, I have no objection in any appearance.

b) The time of appearance is not mentioned. Probably it appeared in the very year when Jesus was about to be born. The wise men observed the movement of the star and followed it. This shows that the star appeared earlier. It was visible both day and night.

Message

The Bible demands "give of your best" as we sing it. In this story we know that the three wise men had given (offered) their best of all. Probably, they brought the most precious offering of their country. We can imagine how many days, wealth, money or effort they should have invested to get those materials. Moreover, they spent their precious times, strength to offer the gifts to Jesus.

They travelled through the mountains, hills and plains in the scorching heat and chilly wing. We know that they have suffered alot, besides spending a huge amount of money and several days to catch the birth day of Jesus.

Let us remember that (they were not Christians) if the non-Christians wise men can give their best of all, how much do we ought to give? Most probably, they journeyed about three months to meet Jesus at Bethlehem.

In Ephesians 2:13-10, Paul declares that we are God's people and priests. If we are his own people, called out people and the trusted priests, how big responsibilities do we have? Can we examine ourselves how much related to God and his son Jesus Christ we are.

1) Did we give our best time or worst or remaining?
2) Did we give our best wisdom or worst?
3) Did we give our best strength or worst?
4) Did we give our best wealth or the worst?
5) Did we give our best service or the worst?

If we don't give the best of all, what better things do we have than the Magi or non-Christians. The wise men brought their gifts to Christ and laid them at his feet—of Gold, Frankincense and Myrth. They gave the best that wealth could buy it.

Ah, they were the wise men who give everything to Christ.

A sinful person needs their contrite hearts to Jesus Christ,
Amen.