In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" Matthew 2:1-2
We really don't know when they arrived in Jerusalem - let alone when they arrived to meet Jesus, the Christ-child. It has been a matter of some confusion for many of us who grew up with the old Christmas pageants. Since I could sing, I was always one of the Magi, clad in a plaid bathrobe from home, I entered with two others (most often my older brother who had an excellent voice) singing, "We Three Kings". My childhood time frame has the wise men arriving just after the shepherds.. but it probably didn't happen that way.
Our sisters and brothers in the Eastern Tradition have probably got it right. They believe that Epiphany (when Christ was revealed to the Magi) happened considerably later than the manger scene. So, some nativity scenes receive the Magi only on Epiphany - in January.
I suppose it really doesn't matter in any ultimate sense. The spiritual truth is that Gentiles sought the Christ; that Jesus would be a Messiah for all races and peoples. That's why Christmas - a holiday taken from the pagan customs of Gentiles who celebrated the Winter Solstice - ultimately became the date fixed in the Western Church for the celebration of Christ's birth. This did two things: first, it allowed Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ at a time when their persecutors would be less likely to find them out (or so I have been told) and, second, it fixed that date when we could mark the shining of God's light into the darkness of unbelief for all lands.
We really don't know when Christ was born or who showed up when.. but I don't think it matters. What matters is that God's love came in the flesh to bring salvation to all. So, no matter what, take a little time this Christmas to claim the real message of Christ's coming - then share it with another person or two.
|
Lord Jesus, I am so glad we have this wondrous season to celebrate your birth and the gift of eternal love and life that you came to give. Amen
|
