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maybe A fabulous scripture that really brings the meaning of Christmas home. There is no mention of how many magi come to visit Jesus and only that they come from the east. But we do know the word Magi comes from the Greek Magos which generally means astrologer. The star is thought to be possibly a comet or nova, was seen by Chinese and Korean stargazers in about 5 BC. This object was observed for over seventy days with no movement recorded. Ancient writers described comets as "hanging over" specific cities, just as the Star of Bethlehem was said to have "stood over" the "place" where Jesus was born that is, the town of Bethlehem. Matthew 2: 1-12. The Visit of the Magi After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" (Micah 5:2) Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. The magi brought three gifts Gold for a King, more than just a King of this world but the one King of all creation. The aroma of frankincense is said to represent life and is often mixed with oils to anoint newborn infants and individuals considered to be moving into a new phase in their spiritual lives. It was also used to offer prayers and to burn in the Holy of Holies. Myrrh was a gift of many meanings as it spoke of impending death, it was offered to Jesus when he was dying on the cross and mixed as a part of the embalming fluid. However in the Old Testament Myrrh was part of the anointing oil used to anoint the chosen ones of God signifying a dying to past and a moving forward within God’s plan for your life. Symbolically if you combine the meanings of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh ... · you put your old life aside (Myrrh), · spend time meditating and offering prayers to God (Frankincense) · accepting him as King (Gold) · and live a new spiritual life (Frankincense) · receiving his anointing (Myrrh) Oh I did not get to Herod and the baby boys and such and such .. the gifts are just so cool.... maybe next time :)
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