When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11).Some undisclosed time after the birth of Jesus, magi from the east appeared in Jerusalem seeking the recently born King of the Jews. There is much left unsaid about the magi in Matthew 2:1-12. There is no mention of how many there were, much less what their names were. They apparently were a priestly caste that had great influence among the Medes, Persians and Babylonians. It is clear their appearance troubled King Herod and all of Jerusalem. At the counsel of the Jewish leaders, which was based on Micah’s prophecy, Herod directed the magi toward Bethlehem. When they began that six-mile journey south, the star they had seen in the east appeared once again to them. In fact, it led them specifically to the house where the Messiah was. No longer was he in a stable. They gave Him gold and frankincense, lavish gifts fit for a king. Myrrh, however, was used at this time for embalming the dead. Even on this marvelous occasion, the sacrificial death of Jesus was foreshadowed.
Song: “We Three Kings
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