We know very little about the Magi or wise men who visited Jesus as a baby. Presumably they studied astronomy, to be aware of the arrival of a new star, and they were clearly learned, educated men, who had the wealth to make a long journey and bring costly gifts to Jesus. Their gifts reflect their wealth, but the significance of these gifts lies also in their symbolism, showing us that the baby born in poverty and obscurity in Bethlehem was actually a king and priest whose sacrifice for the sins of the world would be the bridge back to mankind’s relationship with a holy God.
Their journey following a star showed their commitment. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, whose evil plans led to the slaughter of many children. As a result, Joseph led his young family on a journey too – first to Egypt and later back to Nazareth. Journeys feature greatly in the Christmas story!
Journeying is an inevitable part of life. The good news for us is that Jesus is alive and can be with us throughout every journey we ever undertake. The best journey we can go on, like the wise men, is that journey to find Jesus and then we can carry on journeying with him for ever, every day throughout 2019 and beyond.
