Page 6 - 200912 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2009

6 The Three Wise Men 6 The Three Wise Men The Three Wise Men, The Three Wise Men, The Magi The Magi Early Christian legends tell of twelve wise men living in the East. Their special treasure was a scroll written by Seth, the son of Adam. On this scroll was written prophecies concerning the Messiah of the Jews and the star which would appear at His birth. This group of wise men devoted themselves to watching for the Messiah's star. From generation to generation, every month, these twelve wise men would ascend into a mountain cave and spend three days purifying themselves in its fountains, searching for the star, and praying to be led to the Messiah. As each man died, his son or other close relative took his place. (According to some, when these men were not being wise men, they were simple farmers and only went up on the mountain for a few days each year after the corn was threshed.) About the year 6 B.C., the long awaited star appeared. It shone brightly in the shape of a men's visit. According to Matthew 2:11, the "Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall beautiful boy child with a cross glowing behind wise men came "into the house" and saw "the worship.." (Is 49:7); and "The kings of Tarshish young Child with Mary His mother." And in him. The star-child announced, "The King of and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of the Jews is born in Judea. Go quickly to worship Matthew 2:16, it is written that Herod put to Sheba and Seba will offer gifts" (Ps 72:10). The death all the male children who were "two years him." old and under, according to the time which he number of kings varied - usually being two, Some say the Christ-Star miraculously four, or twelve. Eventually, the number three enabled the wise men to reach Jerusalem in 12 had determined from the wise men." was settled upon because of the three gifts they The star which the wise men followed or 13 days without stopping for food or rest. The bore and the twelve wise men became known as journey seemed to last only a day! Others say appeared in fulfillment of the prophecy of the "Three Kings of the Orient" (Mt. 2:11). Balaam: "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, the journey took about two years during which but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a They are usually referred to as Caspar, the Christ-Star taught them the Gospel of Peace Melchior, and Balthasar. Furthermore, some and replenished their supplies of food and water Scepter shall rise out of Israel..." (Num 24:17). people believe each of the wise men came from The most likely scientific explanation for the so they had no need to stop on the way to one of the three continents that were known of Jerusalem. This legend was so popular that Christmas star is that a triple planetary at the time of Christ's birth. conjunction occurred in the House of the Chrysostom included it in his commentaries. Hebrews (Pisces) on February 6, 6 B.C. and Caspar (a.k.a. Gasper) is alternatively A later legend states that a young portrayed as the oldest and the youngest of the shepherdess named Madelon met the wise men appeared to be a temporary new star. But no wise men. He is believed to have come from scientific explanation for the star's appearance journeying to Bethlehem and wept because she Europe or Tarsus bearing the gift of myrrh. had no suitable gift to give a king. Catching the is necessary. At various times, Christians have Myrrh is the fragrant gum of certain plants believed this star was an angel, the Christ Child, sweet aroma of a lily, Madelon looked up from the Holy Spirit, or even a temporary star created which grew in Arabia and India. It was her tears and found an angel standing before her imported by the Israelites for use in expensive with a wand made of lilies. As soon as she only for this mission and then removed from perfumes and incense (Ps 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Esth creation. shared the cause of her sorrow with the angel, it 2:12; Ex 30:23). It also had medicinal uses. The Greek word interpreted as "wise waved its wand, causing the road to Bethlehem men" is "Magoi." It has several possible Because it was believed to strengthen a child to be lined with white Christmas roses. Madelon meanings. One is "deceiver." They were magoi and get rid of worms, the gift of myrrh signifies gathered a bouquet of these flowers as she ran to Christ's mortality, and His roles of the Suffering catch up with the wise men. In Bethlehem, she because they deceived Herod by returning to Savior and the Great Physician. It both a their homes by a different route rather than presented her roses to the Christ Child and His Christmas and a Passion symbol. At Golgotha, touch caused them to glow with a pink tinge. betraying the Child to him. Another meaning for before He was crucified, Jesus was offered Magoi is magicians or sorcerers. The "science" In exchange for their expensive gifts, "wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did Mary gave the wise men some of the swaddling of the Medes, Persians, and other Gentile not take it" (Mk 15:23). This drink was believed clothes in which Jesus had been wrapped. She nations of that time included astrology, to lessen the pains of crucifixion. Myrrh was divination, and enchantment. Chrysostom also gave them a little box with a stone in it. The also used in the burial practices of the Jews. stone was supposed to remind them that their speculates that Christ chose to reveal His birth Nicodemus supplied a mixture of myrrh and to such men in order to give future sinners the faith ought to be as strong as a rock. Mary hope of divine welcome and forgiveness. aloes to wrap Christ's body when it was placed must've neglected to tell them that because, in the tomb (Jn 19:39-40; Mk 15:23). The wise thinking this stone was worthless baggage, the (Astrology, sorcery, and divination are men are said to have received the gifts of truth forbidden in the Bible. The LORD warns that wise men tossed it into a well. Whereupon fire and humility in exchange for their myrrh. from heaven filled the well. The amazed wise unavoidable and unpredictable disasters will Melchior (a.k.a. "the white one") came fall upon those who rely on such practices (Deut men carried the fire back to their own country 18:12-15; 18:18; Is 47:11-24). "Magoi" can also from Asia or Arabia. He is usually portrayed as and built a magnificent cathedral around it so an old man. His gift of gold is believed to have that the people could worship it. Later, they refer to those who interpret dreams and offer financed the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. It wise council. Daniel was called the chief of were baptized and, giving all their possessions represents the immortality, purity, divinity, and to the poor, they went about living a life of Nebuchadnezzar's magicians because he kingship of Jesus Christ and His titles of the interpreted the dream messages God sent to this poverty and preaching the Gospel of Peace until king (Dan 2; 4). Light of the World, the Morning Star, and the their martyrdom in India. Dayspring. Gold was used in both the temple Although it is common to see images of By the 6th century, the wise men were worship (Ex 25:11; 28:2-30; 1 Ki 6:14-35) and the wise men worshiping Jesus in the manger, referred to as kings in the popular imagination. in the worship of idols (Ex 32:2-4; 1 Ki 12-28). two scripture passages make it seem more likely This assumption is linked to such prophecies as: The wise men received spiritual wealth and the "The Gentiles shall come to your light, and that the Child was a toddler living in a rented kings to the brightness of your rising" (Is 60:3); gift of Charity for their gold. house in Bethlehem at the time of the wise (Continued on Page 7)