Matthew 2.1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
When they had heard the king they went their way; and, lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, ‘til it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Gospel reading today might seem a strange one for Christmas Day. In it we read of the visit of the Magi, an event which, as we all know, took place some time after the Nativity of our Lord; and in it we read also of the evil scheme of King Herod to learn the location of the young Messiah in order to destroy Him, which is a rather grim scenario to be considering at such a joyous time.
But, as we shall see, there is more joy in this account than might be evident at first reading.
There is reason for joy, for example, is the coming of the Magi. Why have they come? They are following a star; a star, of course, which has been sent by God. These foreigners are there by Divine invitation. Why? Because the Messiah and the salvation which He has come into the world to offer is not for the Jews alone. It is for all mankind. This is why their visit is often referred to as the Epiphany, or Revelation, to the Gentiles.
This is truly joyful news for us. Almost none of us, I am sure, have roots that originate in the Holy Land. And yet God’s plan for salvation included us from the beginning.
Let us look now at what happens when the Magi arrive at Herod’s Court in Jerusalem. It causes quite a stir, to put it mildly, when they ask for the location of the one who has been born king of the Jews, that they know of His birth because of a star in the heavens, and they have come seeking Him in order to worship Him. Herod and all Jerusalem are troubled by what they say. The king calls for the chief priests and the scribes to consult them about this. And note well this point: the Magi has come seeking a king; but Herod at once knows that they speak of the Christ, the promised Messiah. This is why he asks the priests and the scribes where the Christ is to be born.
But, as the Fathers point out, instead of recognising the Redeemer, all Herod can perceive is a potential rival. And to a mind such as his, anyone who might challenge him was someone to be eliminated. And instead of being in awe that he was living in the time that was long prophesised and longed for by so many, Herod schemes to discover the location of the Christ. Not so that he might, like the Magi, worship and adore Him, but so that he might assassinate Him.
And, so, he speaks honeyed words to the Magi. ‘Tell me more,’ he says. ‘When did this star appear? Please return to me after you have found this king and let me know where he is to be found, so that I too may worship him.’ All lies. And said in secret so that none might overhear and suspect what he was planning.
This is the darkness of worldly thinking. It is the kind of thinking that leads a man to think he may kill a child in order to preserve the power he has on this earth. It is the kind of thinking that leads a man to think that he can pit himself against the will of God and win. Herod did not fear God. All he believed in was that he was king and he intended to stay king.
We see much the same kind of thinking in the world around us today. All too many behave in a godless fashion. And they laugh at, mock, and scorn those who point it out.
But this is where the real joy of this story comes in. For God is not mocked. Herod, for all his sweet sounding lies and all his cunning plans does not succeed. God does not allow the evil he intends to take place. He instructs the Magi by way of a dream not to return to Jerusalem but to go home by another route. And we know from what is written later in the Gospels that he will warn Saint Joseph to take Jesus and His Mother out of the reach of the murderous tyrant.
For God’s plans always prevail, God’s will is always done. Sometimes we do not know how. Sometimes we may wonder because it does not seem to us that it is being done. But we must trust that it is so. God’s time is not our time and we must remember that even if we do not see things working out during the time we are on this earth, ultimately He prevails. The story of the Magi and His defeat of Herod’s evil plans remind us of that. And give us reason to rejoice on this Holy Day and always. Amen.
The Holy Orthodox Order of St George the Great Martyr works tirelessly to help those in need. We focus particularly on our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in the Holy Land and those who suffer because of their Christian faith. However, we strive to help all in need. Funds are desperately needed at this time to help those facing the horrors of war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Please help if you can by making a donation to the Order. And please keep all those who suffer in your prayers. Thank you and may God bless you.
