by Rev. Dr. Mariano C. Apilado
Who were the wise men, also known in Christian tradition as the Three Kings? Why were they on a journey, and what did they learn from their visit to the new-born Christ? Were there actually three wise men? And were they kings? Were their names Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar? The gospel of Matthew, which is the only book in the Bible that tells of their story, does not answer these questions.
While questions about numbers, status and names are important they were not essential in the story. What was important was that at the time of Jesus’ birth, they took time to visit the new-born baby and offer their presents.
Let us follow the gospel narrative found in Matthew 2: 1-11 and try to learn some lessons drawn from their visit.
First, their journey was inspired by their desire to worship Jesus. “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” they inquired from King Herod. “For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him!”
Worship was the main reason for their journey. They had only one purpose – to worship God, not just any other god, but the one God, the newly born King of the Jews.
To the Jews, worship gave meaning, hope and direction to their life’s journey. Worship celebrated their understanding of their creation in the image of God and their liberation from economic and political bondage in Egypt.
Worship had kept them in touch with the divine and the eternal. Worship had kept them united and hopeful.
Second, those who wait may sometimes lose the capacity to read the signs. While most of Jerusalem, and most of the Jews, were in the dark as to what was going on, the wise men from the east were the first to see the star announcing the birth of the new born King, God incarnate.
The wise men then traveled, but when they got to Jerusalem, the star was lost to them. They had reached the main city, but the main city had lost its star. The glitter and lights of commercialization, enthusiasm for discount sales, crowded social calendar and the obsessive passion for power and control may have outshone and crowded out the Christmas star.
The wise men had to get out from the glitter of Jerusalem, the big city, into the darkness of the countrysidw, and only then did they see the radiance of the star once again. The return to the innocence and poverty of simplicity is often necessary for the star of faith once again to become luminous!
Third, worship was the unifying experience of their journey. When the wise men found the baby, they presented their presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold, the richest treasure, myrrh, the symbol of the highest power and frankincense, the symbol of deepest sorrow – all these as symbolizing the Magi’s their total self.
Their past efforts and journeys became meaningful only when they saw the new born King and worshipped Him. Worship was the unifying fulfillment, meaning the chief cornerstone, the highest point in their search.
Fourth, worship had a transforming experience.
The transforming experience was so wonderful that the wise men thought it spoke to them in a dream. They then returned to their own country, not through Herod anymore but through another way. There in their own country, they became lights of God’s salvation.
In the New Year, the visit of the wise men should mean that the frankincense of hurts and pains, fears and anxieties may be offered to the new born Christ, for healing. In Christ, the myrrh of pride and arrogance, inner greed and selfish ways of people should be offered to Christ for total forgiveness, renewal and reconciliation. In Christ, the gold of best treasures should be offered for total transformation in order to build and strengthen the structure of faith in our hearts and in the heart of society.
So, what is the meaning of the visit of the wise men? The best present that the wise men could give was to be present. They took time to be present, worship the new born king and offer to Him their presents.
In the New year, the best present we can present to our country and people is to be present and share the joy, wonder and radiance we have received. We, who believe in the new-born Savior of the world, should share with our people, families and loved ones the present from the new born child, singing, “Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies.”
