Sermon Tone Analysis

Learning From Wise Men

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Introduction: There is a beautiful old tradition about the star in the East.

The story says that when the star had finished its task of directing the wise men to the baby, it fell from the sky and dropped down into the city well of Bethlehem.

According to some legend, that star is there to this day, and can sometimes still be seen by those whose hearts are pure and clean.

It's a pretty story.

It kind of makes you feel warm inside.

Introduction:

There is a beautiful old tradition about the star in the East.

The story

says that when the star had finished its task of directing the wise men to

the baby, it fell from the sky and dropped down into the city well of

Bethlehem.

According to some legend, that star is there to this day, and can

sometimes still be seen by those whose hearts are pure and clean.

It's a

pretty story.

It kind of makes you feel warm inside.

There are other legends about this story of the wise men from the east.

For instance, how many wise men were there?

In the old days in the east, they believed that there were 12 men who made the journey, but there could have been dozens.

Now because three gifts are mentioned most agree there were three wise men.

One old legend even tells us the names of the three.

Melchior was the oldest of the group, with a full beard.

He gave the baby the gift of gold.

Balthasar also had a beard, but was not as old as Melchior.

He presented the gift of myrrh.

The youngest of the three was Casper, who had no beard yet, but did present the gift of frankincense to the baby.

Yet another legend goes on to tell us that after seeing the baby, the three continued traveling as far as Spain, telling the world the good news about what they had seen.

There are other legends about this story of the wise men from the east.

For

instance, how many wise men were there?

In the old days in the east, they

believed that there were 12 men who made the journey, but now most everyone

agrees there were three.

One old legend even tells us the names of the

three.

Melchior was the oldest of the group, with a full beard.

He gave the

baby the gift of gold.

Balthasar also had a beard, but was not as old as

Melchior.

He presented the gift of myrrh.

The youngest of the three was

Casper, who had no beard yet, but did present the gift of frankincense to

the baby.

Yet another legend goes on to tell us that after seeing the baby,

the three continued traveling as far as Spain, telling the world the good

news about what they had seen.

more to life, and add some color to the meaning of Christmas.

They can also

get in the way.

The problem with legends is that sometimes they add color to stories that don't need any additional color.

In fact, sometimes legends are so colorful, they are unbelievable, and can end up making the entire story unbelievable as well.

Kind of like that star falling in the well.

It makes you warm inside.

It also makes you wonder.

Our Gospel writer Matthew does not venture into legend but rather just presents the simple account of scholars from the East following a special star to see where the newborn King of the Jews enters the stream of human history.

The problem with legends is that sometimes they add color to stories that

don't need any additional color.

In fact, sometimes legends are so colorful,

they are unbelievable, and can end up making the entire story unbelievable

as well.

Kind of like that star falling in the well.

It makes you warm

inside.

It also makes you wonder.

Our Gospel writer Matthew does not venture into legend but rather just presents the simple account of scholars from the East following a special star to see where the newborn King of the Jews enters the stream of human history.

It’s not my purpose this morning to ban legends, but I do think it might be worthwhile to hear the story one more time, the way it was told the first time.

I need to hear it anyway, and you are welcome to listen along if you like.

(Read text here)

It’s not my purpose this morning to ban legends, but I do think it might be worthwhile to

hear the story one more time, the way it was told the first time.

I need to hear it anyway, and you are welcome to listen along if you like.

(Read text here)

The visit of the Magi is a post Christmas event as is indicated by Matthew’s account.

These curious visitors present us with several important lessons that each of us need to learn and heed.

The visit of the Magi is a post Christmas event as is indicated by Matthew’s account.

These curious visitors present us with several important lessons that each of us need to learn and heed.

I.

The Followed God’s Leading (vs.

1-2)

I.

The Followed God’s Leading

A. They observed a special star.

The Scripture never refers to these men as being “kings” but rather Magi.

In the ancient world the magi were often considered scholars...astrologers...astronomers...and magicians.

They were an elite political and spiritual force that had exercised authority since before the time of Daniel.

Daniel had been appointed to be one of their number (; ).

Like Daniel they were interpreters of dreams (; ).

They were often considered “kingly” in their manner and appearance.

Because of the exiled Jewish community in ancient Babylon during the captivity the Jewish Scriptures had become part of the magi’s vast accumulation of knowledge.

They were quickly alert when special manifestations occurred in the heavens, such as: comets, novas, or alignment of planets which sometimes create the appearance of a “new star”.