The first Wise Man, kneeling on the left, brings his gift of
gold, in the shape of a gold vessel. There is a chest just beside him, perhaps
containing more treasure. Matthew’s Gospel doesn’t tell us how many Magi there
were, and Eastern tradition said there were twelve, but Western European
tradition settled on three, simply because the Gospels named three types of
gift they brought. The Gospels don’t name the Magi but by the Middle Ages, they
were known in Western Europe as Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar.
The story of the Magi links with Old Testament
prophecies in the Psalms and in the book of Isaiah, for example Isaiah
6.3&6;
“
kings ‘[shall come] to
the brightness of your rising …they shall bring gold and frankincense”
Isaiah 6.3 & 6. Isaiah probably had in mind the kind of tribute processions
common in the ancient world when vassal nations came to pay homage to their overlords
and bringing them valuable gifts but, of course, this “overlord” isn’t a
monarch, but a peasant baby. The birth of Jesus subverts the normal
expectations of power and importance.
For Reflection
They saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt
down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
What is the most valuable thing you own? What does it
mean to you?
What would induce you to give it away?
Who would you give it to, and under what circumstances?
The whole picture:
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