So what role DO the Magi play in the Director’s-cut Christmas? The Magi DO offer Jesus, Emmanuel – God with us – gifts. But those gifts have a very specific purpose: to signal the fulfillment of what God foretold in scriptures about the nations coming to God. And in what scriptures does God foretell such things? Scriptures such as Psalm 72:10-11...
The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (Psalm 72:1-11, NIV)
And Micah 4:1-2...
In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains ... and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." (Micah 4:1-2, NIV)
And Isaiah 60:4-6...
Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; ... the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. (Isaiah 60:4-6, NIV)
The Magi represent "the nations." And their gifts are given to signify the prophetic vision of all the nations streaming to God to proclaim His praise. All peoples come to the One whose name is "God is with us."
In the Director’s-cut Christmas, even the gifts signal the praise of God. So next year when you’re opening that new 500 terabyte iPod, or that new iPhone, praise God – not for the gift, but for who He is – a God ever faithful to His promises.
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