The Three Magi

We are in the Epiphany Season, which is also called the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.  This season is the celebration of the appearance of Jesus, the Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, to the world.  Jan. 6 has been set aside as its feast day and it was done to rival a pagan holiday, which is also the reason that Christmas was set to Dec. 25.  Although Epiphany is the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, the Jews also had a part in this revelation.  The shepherds that were the first to be shown this miracle were Jewish and then they spread the word to the surrounding countryside, all Jewish families.  The Gentiles who were shown the miracle birth of the Christ-child were the three magi.

This includes the writings of one of the early Church Fathers, Saint John Chrysostom who lived from 347 to 407 A.D. and was the Archbishop of Constantinople.  He is also considered one of the greatest of the early Church Fathers.  He lived only three generations from the time of our Lord and would have a better understanding of the life and doctrine of Christ. 

In his writings we’re given some insight on this revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.  The three Kings or wise men were from the orient, from Persia.  They weren’t Jewish, so they wouldn’t have any of the knowledge of the sayings of the Jewish prophets that foretold of a Messiah.  These men were led by a star, some kind of astronomical phenomenon, to the exact place where Jesus was laying in a manger.  Saint Chrysostom says that the star they followed was truly a manifestation from God, so it could’ve been an angel appearing as a star, because with God, all things are possible. 

Now, the Persians have always been familiar with the stars, but this one was so spectacular that they realized this was something more than a natural occurrence; it had to have been of a divine nature.  He also pointed out that this star didn’t act like the other heavenly bodies that go across the sky from east to west; it moved from north to south and was visible during the day.  When the magi neared Jerusalem, the star disappeared, so they had to ask King Herod, “where is he that is born King of the Jews?”  Herod consulted with his wise men and scribes and they told him that the Christ would come from Bethlehem. 

After they left Herod, the star then reappeared and led them the rest of their way to Jesus Christ.  Saint Chrysostom writes that the magi needed to find out from the Jews that this event was foretold in the Jewish prophecies.  It was also necessary to give them this vision of the star so that they couldn’t deny it—they hadn’t had any previous dealings or visions from God.  Through the workings of the Holy Spirit the magi were slowly brought closer to God during their journey, so they’d ultimately understand the revelation that they were moving toward.

During all of those miles south on their journey, God was speaking to the magi, through the Holy Spirit, helping them realize they were in communication with the one true God.  This is an example of how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of Christians, bringing us closer to Him, not forcing Himself upon us, but gently and lovingly guiding us into relationship with Him.  So, when the magi finally arrived at the point under where the star had stopped, they knew that this was the child that was “born King of the Jews.”

The Christian soul is guided by the Holy Spirit into communion with God so that our faith is strengthened and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer and Saviour of all mankind.  It’s only through the Christian relationship with Jesus that the Gentile is given the gift of eternal life.  It is only through our relationship with Christ that we are allowed to be in the presence of God, glorifying Him forever in the company of the Heavenly Host.