Matthew wrote his story of Jesus’ birth after he wrote his gospel. In the gospel, he quoted many prophesies from Jewish scriptures to establish that Jesus was the Christ, the expected Messiah.
In Matthew’s story of the Messiah’s birth, Jesus is born to common folk, but Mary is ”found to be with child of the Holy Spirit,” and Joseph is told by the angel in a dream how to respond.
The birth of the Messiah is also marked by a star which is noticed by Magi in the East. These astrologers arrive in Jerusalem asking for directions, and King Herod calls on priests and scribes for information. They recall a version of Micah 5:2 which prophesies that a ruler of Judah will be born in Bethlehem. The star, however, not the prophecy, guides them to the house where Jesus lay.
In Matthew’s story, the Magi come bearing gifts that would be suitable for a powerful and wealthy king, but they find Jesus in the house of common folks. Even so, the Magi fall down and worship him. The story tells us that the Magi offered precious gifts, but not that Joseph and Mary took them. The gifts, unexpected in common folks’ houses, play no further part in Matthew’s story of Jesus. Did the Magi return home with the gifts they had brought?
Sherman Johnson suggests that the story of the Magi is “a work of art which Matthew presents to the Christ child as his offering.” Matthew also offers the story to his readers as a gift in which the divine acts among common people, but at the same time shakes political and social expectations.
As in the story of the temptations, Jesus is offered desirable gifts, but he is not touched by the offers. Matthew’s stories tell us in memorable ways that gifts like gold, frankincense, and myrrh might be given with good intent, but have little to do with a gift like the divine in humble goodness.
Joe Hall