After Jesus’ birth, magi from the east followed a star in hopes of finding the messiah.
On entering the house, they found the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down and paid him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh.
Jesus is not only the leader/savior God promised the chosen people. Jesus has come also for the rest of humankind. That is the meaning of the main Christmas story in Matthew’s gospel, the visit of the magi. Jesus is not only king of the Jews, but the hope of the Gentiles, all the non-Jewish people of the earth—us.
Only Matthew tells of the wise visitors from the East. The story introduces a major theme of his gospel: The inclusion of the
Gentiles in the promises of Jesus.
What insight and guidance does the Epiphany story offer regarding tensions among Christians, Muslims, and Jews today?