“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.”
Matthew’s Gospel says King Herod was “greatly troubled” when he heard this from the Magi. I bet that’s an understatement and that anger rose in Herod like a volcano. But he recovered quickly, smiled deceitfully and faked interest. He asked his own scholars to research the scriptures to find out about the birth of this king.
The chief priests and the scribes found plenty of information as to where the long-awaited King of the Jews was to be born. From the scriptures, it was very clear that the king would be from the lineage of King David and was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea.
Strangely enough, the Magi knew nothing about the scriptures. They were from the east, they were Gentiles, and respected astrologers who were looking for a newly born king by following a very bright star.
The Magi, following the star, finally reached their destination and saw the newborn child. These wealthy wise men fell to their knees without hesitation and then gave their gifts:
These were not very practical gifts for a baby. If the wise men were wise women, we know it would have been a whole different story. They would have brought practical gifts like diapers, baby clothes, blankets, a casserole and something for Mary. And of course, they would not have gotten lost but instead would have arrived in time to clean the stable, cook a meal and deliver the baby.
We know the rest of the story. The wise men went home without telling Herod.
But could it have happened that three more strange characters came to adore the newborn savior after the three kings departed?
One was obviously a person who was homeless and very hungry. Another was beaten up and looked depressed and discouraged. The third had injuries on his ankles and wrists from being in restraints and shackles.
When Mary first saw them, she thought they were there to kidnap their newborn baby. Joseph thought they were common thugs or petty thieves coming to take the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Mary held the baby close to her heart for protection.
Joseph comforted Mary by reminding her of one of his dreams in which they were to name their baby Emmanuel, a name that means “God is with us,” and because of that, they were not to live in fear.
Mary said, “Joseph, you are right. We are not to live in fear. God is with us, but then God is with everyone, even these strangers. Everyone has a right to this special child: the poor, the rich, the criminals, the healthy and the depressed. We cannot keep this child for ourselves.
Joseph said to the strangers, “Please come in.”
They entered just as the Magi had, but they did not kneel or bring any gifts. They just stood there, staring at the child in awe.
Joseph took the gold and handed it to the first man. “Take this gold and buy what you need. We will not go hungry.”
The man replied, “I cannot take this gold; people will think I have stolen it and I will end up like your baby, condemned as a common criminal.”
Mary was deeply puzzled and pondered this in her heart. What did it mean that their son would end up one day being charged as a criminal?
To the second man, Joseph said, “You are disheartened and dejected. Take this frankincense and let the aroma ease your troubles.”
“I cannot take this,” said the man. “Your baby will need this when he falls beneath the weight of the heavy cross. It will serve as a smelling salt to help him get up.”
Mary was now totally bewildered and perplexed.
And to the third stranger Joseph said, “You take this myrrh. It will heal the wounds on your wrists and ankles.”
“I cannot take the myrrh; your baby will need this when the soldiers rip his garment from his body and nail him to a cross.”
Mary felt a deep sense of loss but remembered the words of the Angel Gabriel, “Do not be afraid. You have found favor with God.”
The first three strangers from the east were educated, wealthy and professional, yet humbled and overwhelmed at the sight of the child. The second group of three strangers were the homeless, the discouraged, and the prisoners. They totally identified with the child.
God came into the world in the same shape as we did, a human baby. He lived on this earth in the same way that we do, experiencing joy and suffering, life and death.
God came to earth for each and every person on earth.
All the years that I have celebrated Christmas, and regardless of how many times I meditate on and reflect on this mystery, I find it overwhelming to believe that our Creator, our powerful Creator who made the heavens and earth, came into this world as a baby. Why? Why a baby?
Perhaps because people are not afraid of babies. Perhaps because babies need to be loved, nurtured and cared for. While there is no decent answer for my intellect, my heart simply answers it all when I say to myself, “But love does such things.”
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