King Herod was frightened of a tiny, vulnerable baby who may have been born in his territory. So were the religious leaders of the Jews and all Jerusalem.

Herod was foolish. He could not hang on to power forever and by the time the baby had grown, he would either be old or dead. Herod was an insanely jealous, paranoid, murderous old man who had murdered his wife Mariamne, his mother in law, his eldest son Antipater and two other sons. The best way of handling narcissists like Herod, whether we meet them through politics, industry, work, church or in the family is to keep as much distance as possible.

Asking questions about a new born King in the place Herod ruled was foolish. The wise men’s lack of wisdom was to have massive consequences for boys less than two years of age who would be massacred as Herod sought to destroy anyone who could potentially become King.

Why was all Jerusalem frightened? Was it fear of change? Were they frightened that if the peace of the Empire and power balance was challenged it would lead to war and they would be crushed?

So often when we have political decisions to make, we act out of fear, not using our brains. Sometimes we do not even know or cannot articulate what it is we are frightened of.

With the surge of omicron, the threat of climate change and rising prices it is easy for us, the general public to make mean, selfish decisions.

In contrast, the wise men were courageous, explorers, risk takers and opportunists who set out on a long journey to a strange land led by a star. I might respond to scriptures, a prophetic word given by someone I trusted, an angel, a dream or the prompting of God the Holy Spirit, but definitely not a star.

The word used for wise men, Kings or Magi is difficult to translate which is why it appears differently in different versions of the Bible. It is unlikely that they were Kings. Historians of the day tell us they came originally from a Median tribe who tried to overthrow the Persians. Because they failed, they stopped playing power games and became a tribe of priests, teachers of Persian Kings and adopted the same kind of role the Levites adopted in Israel. They were present when sacrifices were made; they were skilled in philosophy, medicine, and natural science. They were soothsayers and interpreters of dreams.

They were members of the Zoroastrian religion which was renowned for its study of astrology, seen at the time as a science. It was the official religion of Persia before Islam.

Christianity and Zoroastrianism have much in common. The primary prophet for Zoroastrianism is Zoroaster. Zoroastrians believe that he was miraculously conceived in the womb of a 15 year old Persian virgin. Like Jesus, Zoroaster started his ministry at age of 30 after he defeated all Satan’s temptations. He predicted that other virgins would conceive additional divinely appointed prophets as history unfolded. Zoroastrian priests believe they could foretell these miraculous births by reading the stars. Like the Jews, Zoroastrian priests were anticipating the birth of the true Saviour.

Historians of the time, Tacitus and Suetonius also predicted a ruler coming from Judea.

The wise men were possibly influenced by their scriptures, the scriptures of the Old Testament, dreams and the prompting of God himself.

Astrology, unlike Astronomy, is considered by most today to be just a bit of fun. When people start believing the predictions made under star signs in papers and magazines, they are likely to discover either that there is no truth in them or that putting their faith in them is dangerous. It is not how God guides us. The wise men trusted God, not the stars. God who created the stars was using one to lead them.

What the wise men saw, spoke to them of the birth of the King of the Jews and needed checking out. It was many miles to Jerusalem, which they presumed would be the birthplace of the King because it was the Jewish capital. The star doesn’t appear to have led them there because they asked, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?”

It is strange that these foreigners should have gone to Jerusalem. The child would be King of the Jews, not King of the Persians, Zoroastrians, Arabs, or King of the nations of the East.

Herod was a liar. When he inquired of his chief priests and scribes as to where the baby was to be born, he discovered it was in Bethlehem. He then told the wise men to search for him diligently and when they had found him to return and let him know so he could pay him homage also.

Bethlehem was a small town, not a village. Searching for the baby would be difficult but God intervened. When they left Herod, the star was there to lead them.

When the star stopped, the wise men were not filled with fear like Herod or indifference like the chief priests and scribes but overwhelmed with joy.

They had found whom they were searching for, the one who would not just be the King of the Jews but King of everyone who would love him and make a place for him in their hearts.

They knelt before their King as they had intended, in worship. The word used for worship is to kneel to kiss.

Wise people are humble before Jesus. We cannot come with our pride. He is King of our lives and we are not.

Wise people love Jesus and tell him so. When we worship we come in adoring love and bring all we have before him.

Wise people give gifts. Giving is a sign of our love. These wise men gave strange gifts for a baby of gold, frankincense and myrrh

They understood, even before they came, that this baby would rule in a way that was totally different to Herod and the rulers of the Empires.

Gold, the most expensive of metals, signified his Kingship. Jesus reigned with love, not force but he is no less a King.

Gentiles recognised Jesus as King of the Jews. The religious authorities in Jerusalem never did. When Pilate crucified Jesus he placed a sign above his head which cynically said, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Jesus calls us Gentiles to submit to him as our Lord and Saviour

Frankincense is a gift for a priest. Priests used it when making sacrifices in temple worship. Jesus offered himself to God as a sweet smelling sacrifice for sin. He died for us. He is the bridge by which we may enter into the presence of God and the courts of heaven and he is the one who prays for us there.

Myrrh is used to embalm dead bodies. The wise men recognised that the death of Jesus would one day be important.

The wise men never returned to Herod. Warned in a dream they returned to their own country by another road. Their hearts were enlarged and they were filled with joy whereas Herod remained fearful and twisted.

We are wise, when we courageously seek Jesus and whole heartedly worship him, when we explore and study the scriptures and when we are generous in our giving. May our hearts be enlarged and filled with joy this year.