It is easy to understand why New Testament scholars have relegated the magi from Matthew’s gospel to the realm of fantasy. Most ordinary Christians send their Christmas cards and attend church, never knowing that the majority of Biblical scholars don’t believe the wise men existed at all.  It is true that we don’t know where they came from. The Bible says they came form the east of Jerusalem. It is true that Matthew then wrote that they saw a star in the East and then followed it mysteriously westwards. It is true that we don’t know how many of them there were. Because three gifts are mentioned it has been assumed that there were three men. It is true that, in spite of the carol, we don’t know their names. The three wise men might as well be named Gandalf, Merlin, and Dumbledore rather than Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. We aren’t told when the wise men visited. Because Herod said that all boys under the age of three should be killed it is assumed that Jesus must have been about two years old.

We could go on for ever finding fault with the story. Whether or not it is true I think we can learn something from it.

1. They made it a priority to pursue the Lord (v. 1). The men were not Jews but Gentiles and I think that this is the first indication that Jesus was available for all. They came a great distance and showed a commitment to having a personal encounter with Jesus. In the same way we can’t follow Jesus from a distance. We have to get close up.
2. They came to worship Him (v. 2). Right from the beginning, the magi made the purpose of their journey clear. We have come to worship Him.” That should be our purpose, not just at Christmas but at all times. That is why we meet together in church with our Christian family.
3. Nothing could divert them from their mission (vs. 3-8).When God gives us a dream to pursue we often have to deal with a “King Herod” who tries to distract us along the way! To send us in another direction. The magi truly proved to be “wise men,” able to discern that King Herod had no intention of furthering their mission but was following his own agenda. So many things can distract us. Whether it is the troubles of life or the tinsel and coloured lights of Christmas which can become more important than Jesus himself
4. They not only worshipped Jesus with their words and their time, but they also worshipped Him with a generous offering. “When they had opened their treasures, they presented to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (v. 11). If we have a genuine encounter with Jesus we cannot help being grateful. This should be our reason for giving of our time, our money and above all our love.
5. They returned home “another way” (v. 12). I believe that Jesus came into the world in order to change both it and us. Following Jesus will transform us and cause us to walk on a different path to that on which we started. Some people say they hear God talking to them directly. Some say they feel God directing their path. Others follow a particular path through advice from other Christians. As you genuinely try to follow Jesus in this new year of 2018 I hope your life will be changed and become more fulfilled. As we move from Christmas into the New Year may following Jesus give you a fresh revelation of His love for you.