Matthew 2:1-2 – “Magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?… we’ve come to honor him.'”

We begin our New Testament reading with the genealogy of Jesus. This establishes Jesus’ political, national, and covenantal relationship with and for Israel. In verses 2-11 we recognize most of the names, a product of our time reading and studying the Old Testament. Verses 12-15 are post-exile. We have very few writings from this time period, therefore the names are mostly unfamiliar to us. Within this list we find four female names – a rarity in Jewish genealogies. Ever rarer is the fact that these women are not Jews. These facts speak to Jesus’ mission to a much broader audience than simply “God’s chosen people.”

Turning to verse 18 we find Jesus’ birth story. During Mary and Joseph’s engagement, she becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Through a dream Joseph receives reassurance and a name for the child, plus the declaration, “He will save his people from their sins.” This birth fulfills the words of Isaiah 7. After the birth, some Magi arrive in Jerusalem, the capital city and logical place for their search. We read, “Magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?… we’ve come to honor him.'” This troubles Herod and “everyone in Jerusalem.” Herod gathers information – time and place. The magi continue following the star, arriving with joy at Mary and Joseph’s home. They enter and honor Jesus, presenting him with three gifts. This is why we have three wise men in our Christmas programs. In reality it could’ve been two, but was much more likely 6… or 11… or…

Warned in a dream, the magi do not report back to Herod. Warned in a dream, Joseph flees to Egypt with Mary and Jesus – “during the night.” In a fury Herod sends soldiers to the Bethlehem area, killing every child under two. There is weeping and grieving. The mothers refuse to be comforted “because they were no more.” And in another dream Joseph is told to return home. Yet fearing Herod’s sin, he settles the family in Nazareth, a small town tucked away in Galilee, far from Jerusalem. This fulfills the fifth Old Testament prophecy – so far.

Prayer: Lord God, it is good to transition into the New Testament. We know this collection of stories a bit better. Even so, Lord, continue to open our eyes and hearts to the details, to the “new” that you want to reveal. Move us deeper into the story, closer to our call to bear your image to the world. Amen.