This has been a year to remember ( Pandemic, Fear, Lockdown, Earthquakes and the Election). But we are still here, and Christmas is upon us once again. The story in Matthew 2, that I am writing about is a different view of the traditional Christmas story as told by Luke. I hope you like it and learn something too.
Travel in biblical times was slow and also dangerous for the lone travelers. People had to walk or ride what they could afford, camels or donkeys. This is how the Magoi or wise men left their home in the far east and traveled by a caravan. These men were probably mixed descendants of the Jews who were philosophers, magicians, and astrologers. They were also waiting for the consolation of Israel.
Early religious traditions reveal that the Magoi were Kings. probably due to the scriptures in Psalm 68 & 72, also Isaiah 49 & 60, that Kings would come and worship the Messiah.
Luke reveals in his account of the birth of Jesus as being in the spring time, as there were shepherds tending their sheep in the fields ( Luke 2:8-18 ). The most interesting thing to me other than the supernatural, is the fact that they told everyone they came into contact with, the news of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem. Why did this exciting news not reach the Royal circle?
When the wise men came into Jerusalem they went straight to the Royal Palace, and asked to see the King. As he was the one who should of known what was happening in his Kingdom. They asked King Herod where to find this Royal Child that had just been born King of the Jews? They told the King they had seen His star in the east, and they were come to worship Him.
The King then assembled all the Chief Priest and Scribes, and demanded of them when Christ should be born. He was extremely upset, when as a Jew he should of been excited and happy. Wrong thinking will always be wrong outcome.
These Scribes and Chief Priest knew instantly where the Christ should be born (Micah 5:2). They told the King, the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Remember that Bethlehem is only six miles south of Jerusalem.
Once the King was satisfied with their answer, he then went back to the wise men and asked them when did you see this sign? In verse seven we see that this was a private meeting with the wise men. He specifically asked them when they saw this Star. They told him because it was no secret to them. Then the King tells them to go and find where this Messiah was in Bethlehem, so he could come and worship him also.
King Herod could of went with them if he really wanted to worship this Messiah Child. After all, it was only six miles away. Then he sends them on their way with his blessings to find this Child King.
The wise men prepare to leave Jerusalem and as they depart, suddenly the Star appears before them again. They are excited beyond measure as they follow it until it stops over the house where Jesus and his parents are now living. This same Star was seen of them when they started their journey, but it does not say it was in the sky all the time. They being descendants of the Jews knew that they needed to go to Jerusalem, as this was the city of David, the Royal City of the Jews. The wise men arrive in Bethlehem as they follow this moving Star.
Most so called experts view this star as a comet or two planets aligning to create such a distinct sign. But, was it a star? A moving star? A star that stands still over a certain house? Stars travel east to west, not north to south. This Star was no ordinary star or comet. This Star was more like the Glory of God or pillar of fire that stayed between the children of Israel and Egypt during the Exodus. I choose to believe it was the latter as it makes the most sense. It was God fulfilling the scriptures as He watches over His word to preform them (Jeremiah 1:12).
I also find it strange that this Star or Sign was not seen by the Chief Priest, or King Herod as he stepped out on his balcony to gaze into the star filled night. Or, anyone else for that matter, as there was no light pollution to interfere.
The wise men arrive in Bethlehem as they follow this moving star. The Bible does not say if it was day or night, just that this Star was the visible sign they followed. I believe it was day as the scripture does not say anything about Joseph being there. He was probably at work so the Magoi would not see Joseph as the father.
What did Mary do when this caravan arrives at her house? Surely she was awe stricken at the scene that played out in real time right before her eyes. Kingly men and all their Majesty, animals, noise and her neighbors all looking at these travelers stopping at Mary’s house. (They were in a real house by this time, and not in a stable, Matthew 2:11).
Was Mary surprised when they fall down before her child Jesus, and worshipped Him? They did not give Mary the gifts, they gave them to Jesus, as He was Royalty of the most special kind. This was the first time that anyone fell down before Him in worship, but it would not be the last. It was a custom in the east that one should never appear before Royalty without offering them gifts.
What did Mary think of all the treasure laid out before her son? When the wise men worshipped Jesus it was at some cost to themselves and not the empty handed adoration that is so common today. Mary did not know it, but it was God the Father providing for His Son. God knew what lay ahead and how hard it would be on this special family.
After all this pomp and ceremony the Magoi prepare to leave and return home. They must of stayed the night as they were warned in a dream by God, to not return and inform the King of the place where Jesus was. So they leave by another route.
King Herod was so upset when he realized the wise men had left without telling him where the baby was. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem to kill all the male children under two years old. Tradition tells us that no more than six to twelve children were killed. This would make sense, as no historian of the time has commented on this outrage. Too small to be on the local news or important enough to write about.
Joseph was also warned in another dream by God, picked up the baby and Mary and left the same night. When the Lord God warned Joseph to flee to Egypt it was because they would find safety there in the Jewish community that was under Roman protection and out of Herods reach. This also fulfilled another prophecy in Hosea 11:1.
Dreams produced a quick response by Joseph. Each time he responded another prophecy was fulfilled. They stayed in Egypt and lived upon the gifts the Magoi had given Jesus. While living in Egypt the Lord God again gives Joseph a dream, telling him it is safe to return to Israel. As they traveled and camped, the Lord God once again gives Joseph another dream. He tells Joseph to go to Galilee and raise Jesus in Nazareth. Joseph was a man whom God trusted, and God spoke to him four times in dreams as he endeavored to keep Jesus safe and raise Him as a Jew, the Messiah.
I hope you enjoyed this alternate view of the birth of Jesus, and I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. The birth of Jesus is what Christmas is about and it is not a Holiday, Jesus is the reason for the season.
I also want to thank all of you for supporting this blog with your likes and subscriptions. Remember to keep Christ in Christmas, and always remember, You will make it, just don’t give up. See you next week, the Kilted Priest.
The Kilted Priest 