Today is celebrated as "Epiphany", and commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. The night previous, January 5th, is celebrated as the "twelfth night of Christmas" and is the eve of Epiphany. It is traditionally the night that all Christmas decorations are taken down. In Greek, Epiphany means manifestation or appearance, and the arrival of the Magi to visit the Christ child signifies Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles. Another name for Epiphany is "Three Kings Day".
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 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. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Matthew 2:1-12
Even though at Christmas we sing "We Three Kings of Orient are...," The Magi were not actually Kings, and not even from the “Orient” as popular Christmas songs imply. Magi were astronomers and most likely from Babylon. There were a line of Magi who were from the line of Daniel. Daniel, as in Daniel in the lion’s den bible story, was put in charge of the Magi due to his ability to interpret the dreams of the king when none of his court advisers could. As a result, it is quite possible that the influence of the Jewish Torah and other writings would have been familiar to the Magi. They would have been familiar with the prophecies of Moses (Genesis 49:10 and Numbers 24:17), Daniel (9:24-26), Isaiah (7:14), and Micah (5:2) regarding the coming messiah, just as the advisers to king Herod were.
The Magi would have visited the "child" (toddler in Greek) up to 2 years after the birth of Jesus, and not as depicted in manager scenes. The Magi were not present immediately following the birth of Christ. We learn later that King Herod has all the young boys age 2 and under in the Bethlehem vicinity put to death in an attempt to put an end to this "King of the Jews" the Magi were searching for to honor.
It is not known just what the "Star of Bethlehem" that led the Magi on their journey actually was. It is depicted as a bright solitary star that moved through the sky leading the Magi to the newborn King. It has also been suggested that the Magi were astronomers who saw signs in the stars which announced the birth of a "King" of the Jews. Whatever the star was, supernatural sign or natural astronomical event, the Magi were led to the Christ child and honored him with their gifts.
As we celebrate Epiphany, after having taken down the Christmas decorations on the twelfth night of Christmas, drinking wassail and eating king cake, let us continue to look for the King of the Jews (Christ) so that we may honor Him.
