Daily Reading
When you live in a city, with all of its street lights, you can forget to look at the stars. The ancient world, innocent of streetlights, never forgot the night sky. Many people, particularly to the east of Palestine, had developed the study of the stars and the planets to a fine art. Any remarkable event among the stars would mean a remarkable event on earth. While scholars have sought to explain what was happening astronomically on that night, Matthew wants us to see what was happening politically and cosmically. The Magi brought gifts suited for a King. Jesus, Matthew is saying, is the true king of the Jews, and old Herod is the false one, a usurper, an impostor. But His Kingship isn't limited to the Jewish people. As the prophecies of old told about the coming Messiah, his rule would bring God's justice and peace to the whole world. Matthew will end his gospel with Jesus commissioning his followers to go out and make disciples from every nation. But not before Jesus is called "King of the Jews" again, not by visiting Magi, but by the soldiers of Pilate. They are the first Gentiles since the Magi to call him this name, reminding us that Advent is about a coming King, yes, but one who will die on behalf of His enemies, to make them His friends.