“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came
to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star
in the east and have come to worship him.’”

Matthew 2:1-2

Have you ever wondered about the central people in the Christmas story and who they were or how the events affected them? I think they each have something to teach us. Each one possesses character traits we should consider as Christmas approaches.

Let’s begin with the Magi. We don’t know much about them, but there are some reasonable things we can surmise. At the very least, they were learned men, scholars, who kept an eye on the stars. They were ancient astronomers, early “scientists,” who studied the stars and found order in the lights of night. They looked up at the night sky looking for information, understanding, and truth. They followed the evidence, and when we meet them, the evidence is a new star. They were open to what theologians call “natural revelation,” which is God’s revelation of Himself in nature as Psalm 19 describes with words like, The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands, and as Paul affirms in Romans 1:19-20, … since what may be known about God is plain to them [all men], because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Furthermore, these Magi were from the East. Ace Collins in Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, notes that the scholarly consensus of opinion indicates the Magi were from Persia.¹⁷ As scholars, they were highly esteemed; their gifts suggest they were wealthy. They were men of position in their culture. Most importantly, I submit that they were seekers of truth. When the heavens revealed a new star, they understood it was an announcement, and they determined it was the announcement of the birth of a king. A king who would be worthy of worship. And so, they set out to find him. Their journey led them to Jerusalem, and upon arrival they asked where the baby was who had been born King of the Jews, for they had come to worship Him. These wealthy scholars examined the information at hand and set out on a journey to find the truth about that star and its announcement.¹⁸ What they found was the Truth and they worshipped.

This December, pause in awe that God would use unknown Eastern scholars to remind us to be seekers — to follow the evidence, whatever the cost, and to set our priorities correctly.  Daily we should seek and worship Him who is Truth.        As Paul told the Athenians, He is not far.¹⁹

to be seekers; to follow the evidence, whatever the cost, and to set our priorities correctly.  Daily we should seek and worship Him who is Truth. As Paul told the Athenians, He is not far.

Jay W. Hill