When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The adoration by the Magi of Jesus, the newborn King of the Jews, completes the Christmas story.

The child Jesus is revealed not only to the shepherds of Israel, but also to pagans from the east called magoi or “magi.” The Savior is seen by members of the chosen people and those considered to be outsiders, astronomers who presumably originated in Persia or Babylonia.

The Magi have taken leave of the comforts of home and allow disruption of their normal routine because of one compelling reason: They have seen an unusually brilliant star that looms in the horizon. These Magi who study the movements of heavenly bodies and read portents in the sky believe that such rare appearance is connected to a phenomenal event in history.

The star leads the Magi to Israel, first to Jerusalem and later to Bethlehem, where they find and worship the child Jesus. Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are laid before the Child. These gifts symbolize Jesus’ destiny as King of kings, eternal High Priest, and Lamb of eternal sacrifice.

The travelers make their first stop in the palace of King Herod. Seen to be prominent and powerful men, they easily gain entrance to the palace and are received in an audience by the king. Or maybe the king is intrigued by rumors that foreigners from a faraway place have undergone a long journey looking for a newborn king.

Their very purpose makes Herod’s blood curdle. Does he suspect that he will be unseated from his throne soon? King Herod feigns interest over the new king so he asks the visitors to return to the palace and to inform him when they have finally found the child. King Herod makes the Magi believe that he, in fact, also plans to worship his successor.

After having gone to Bethlehem and found the Child and his mother, the Magi are instructed by the angel not to return to Herod but rather to take a different route as they head back home. They complete their journey in peace with the realization that the newborn King of the Jews will not rule in a palace nor will be surrounded by trappings of power.

The ordinariness of the place over where the guiding star stopped does not prevent them from recognizing the King before whom they prostrate themselves in homage. Like the shepherds, they recognize that the glory of the Son of God is revealed to men of good will and humble hearts.