Sermon – Sunday 4th January 2026
The hymn “We Three Kings of Orient are” would be the perfect hymn for today, except our gospel reading from Matthew today doesn’t call them Kings! It goes to show that not everything we remember from hymns and nativity displays lines up neatly with scripture.
You will notice in our nativity scene that we have the Holy Family, there are some livestock and the mysterious “three kings.” However, Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus has no account of shepherds or livestock, and Jesus is found with his parents in a house. Often, our hymns and traditions are an interesting compilation or interpretation of the gospel accounts, which often brings us to have both the wise men and shepherds and animals all in the barn-like setting we see before us.
In reality, it seems more likely that the Wise men or Magi, who came from the East, were from somewhere in the Persian Empire, in modern-day Iran. They were likely priests, astrologers, philosophers, or religious advisors. In addition, Matthew never says there were only three of them. It is much more likely that they travelled with a large entourage to make such a significant journey.
So, having set the record straight, let’s consider what Matthew is revealing to us.
This gospel is a story of contrasts.
• There is the contrast between the wise men and King Herod.
• The contrast between hope and fear.
• The contrast between violence and homage.
What do we know about King Herod?
History tells us that King Herod was a ruler who ruled by the might of his power. His father took on the title “King of the Jews” by the appointment of the Roman Empire and not by his lineage. In fact, the Herod family were descended from Edomites, who were historically not Jewish people. The title King of the Jews was handed down to Herod. He was a proxy king for the Roman Empire with little power but significant influence. He seemed to use his influence to maintain his power, even to the extent of killing his own wife and three of his sons when he was paranoid that they were planning to overthrow him.
In contrast, the wise men saw the star indicating the birth of Jesus and, despite being complete outsiders with no connection, made a huge effort, at great cost, to come and worship him. They would have been a force to be reckoned with when they arrived in Jerusalem. It is no wonder that Herod was terrified! They could easily have looked like an invading army arriving.
The gospel writers are much more sophisticated than we often give them credit for. When the wise men make the statement, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?”
Matthew is pointing out what everyone knew – Herod was not born to be a king. He gained his throne through family ties, manipulation and power play. Yet another had come into the world born to be a king.
Secondly, we see a contrast between hope and fear. When Herod hears of the birth of Jesus, it fills him with terror and a desire for self-preservation. While the wisemen have a desire to come and see this child, who is a sign of hope for the world. Commentators suggest that the Persians believed that every person born had a star assigned to them. The star ascending at Jesus birth was significant!
One wonders why the wise men thought it was a good idea to ask Herod where to find the child. But it seems a fair assumption that they assumed he knew about the child and desired to see him.
Herod calls for his chief priests and scribes to find out where the Messiah was going to be born. These are men who have spent their lives studying the Old Testament scriptures, and they can give Herod an answer. They draw their answer from the prophet Micah, who had written – You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.
Herod fears this arrival and the wisemen desire to celebrate it.
Finally, we see the contrast between the wisemen’s desire to pay homage and Herod’s violence.
To outward appearances, it looks like Herod wanted to pay homage to Jesus too, but we only need to look forward to the later part of the chapter to know that in fact, he ordered the slaughter of a large number of baby boys in an attempt to get rid of any rival king. He is unpredictable and genocidal.
Despite knowing where the Messiah would be born, neither Herod nor his chief priests and scribes had been paying attention to know that this momentous event had happened! It was only 10 kilometres between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. There was very little to stop Herod, or any of his advisors travelling to Bethlehem to seek out this new King.
When the wise men arrived in Bethlehem they were again guided by the star and found Mary and the baby. They were overwhelmed by joy!
It is a stark contrast that these foreign wise men were so impacted by the birth of this child that they were moved with such joy! They then bring out their gifts.
Its great to bring gifts but as your travel across boarders let me tell you a cautionary tale. My friend was travelling back from Kenya and was asked to bring some frankincense back with her…. It is often found in Somalia, which borders Kenya. Do you know what Frankincense looks like? It is small white rocks, quite similar to methamphetamine. Naturally, this alerted the border control people at the airport because it was in a plastic bag with Arabic writing. A serious conversation and thorough search took place until it became clear it really was frankincense not drugs!
The gifts of the wisemen are symbolic in nature – the first two make sense.
The gold is a gift fitting for a child born to be a king.
Frankincense reflects the priestly role Jesus will take on as a mediator between God and humanity.
The final gift of myrrh is slightly less obvious. However, myrrh was a spice used for burial, which points to the reality that Jesus came to be a sacrifice. That sacrifice would ultimately cause his death. Going back to our hymn about the Three Kings but this time the writer understands the memo:
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Jesus’ life and calling are predicted with the gifts. King, priest and sacrifice.
These gifts also remind us that Isaiah had prophesied, “Nations would come to God’s light bringing gifts.” Specifically, those gifts would include gold and frankincense.
Their joy becomes worship and we are reminded that the goodness of the incarnation of Christ is for all the nations.
As we remember the Epiphany this year, let us call to mind the manifestation of Christ among us. As Paul tells us, the mystery of Christ has been made known. It is good news to both Jew and Gentile.