Adoration of the Magi

Image courtesy Watingfortheword

The Magi were three wise men who came to visit the baby Jesus as recorded in Matthew, 

"Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.'...and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  (Matt 2:1-2, 9-11)

Jesus was a young child at the time and the star led the wise men to his home.  The gifts were valuable and easily converted to cash.  They may have furnished the means for Joseph and Mary to escape into Egypt when the king sent out the order that all the babies age two and under be killed.

This story teaches us that the wealthy, educated Magi did not need to see first to believe in Christ.  They believed enough to make a journey, ask questions, use their wit and eventually they found the Christ child.  Believe first and your faith will be rewarded abundantly.

Byzantine Depiction of the "Magi (1)" by Nina-no - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

Philippine depiction of the Magi - Image Courtesy Leo Cloma

Image by Leopold Kupelwieser Wikimedia Commons

Gotland-Grotlingbo Kyrka Taufstein Image by Wolfgang Sauber Wikimedia Commons

Brazilian Statues of the Wise Men (Magos) by Patrick Wikimedia Commons

Wise men photo by unattributed

Sculpture on the Cathedral, Strasbourg France courtesy j.labrado

Three Wise Men image courtesy Liara Leitao 

Magi by Brian Whelan

Adoracion dos Magos by Vicente Gil

Adoration of the Magi from a Roman Sarcophagus 4th century CE

San Maria Trastevere in Rome, Italy

Brazilian Creche image courtesy Fred Matos 

Abbazia San Leonardo di Siponto - Portale Laterale image courtesy Fame Di Sud

Magi in Notre Dame Cathedral Image Courtesy Fr Lawrence Lew

Mosaic of the Three King requesting information from King Herod, Chora Cathedral, Istanbul Turkey

Dream of the Three Magi - Image courtesy British Library courtesy Peter

Iglesia de San Salvador, Spain - Three Magi Image Courtesy Inge

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