Whether you are a Christian or not, your life is influenced by a child born in a little province of the Roman Empire, 2000 years ago. Even our calendar is based around this child. If this event is so important, are there any records of it in places other than the Bible?
THE CHINESE MAGI
I will make each of My mountains a road, and My highways shall be elevated. Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the north and the west, and these from the land of Sinim. Isaiah 49:11-12
The word “Sinim” means the edge of the known eastern world, which is modern day China.
The Chinese Emperors of this time employed two kinds of Magi/astrologers; those studying the stars for scientific purposes and those who used the stars to foretell. These groups were using the compass for navigation a 1000 years before the birth of Christ. One these Magi, named Cheung Ching, had charted the entire area and produced clear maps from China to the Mediterranean Sea in about 110BC.
These Chinese Magi had a tradition that when a travelling star was seen it was because a king was born. The only travelling star known to be recorded was at the time of Christ’s birth.
When another of the Chinese Magi, Liu Sheng, left the imperial court to follow this star, if he followed the most logical path he would have gone through the Persian Empire on route! It is unlikely he travelled alone, and would probably have had several other Magi accompany him.
Liu Sheng was about 70 years old when he left on a two-year quest to find the King. He returned with an account of how Herod killed all the children under two. Interestingly, when Christianity came to China in the 1st Century it was first called the religion of the King!
THE PERSIAN MAGI
The Persian Magi had a long tradition of studying the stars. The prophet Daniel was thought to be the head Magi of his time. They also had a tradition that when they saw a moving star, a new king had been born – not any king, but one who would have influence over the whole world. Hence, most kings feared the star sign as they thought a new king would take over their kingdom.
The king of the Persian Empire may have given an audience to the Chinese magi who would have explained the interpretation of the star. As they had a similar interpretation, the Persian king would have wanted to make a treaty with this new king and would have sent a Magi envoy. These two groups probably numbered in excess of 60 people. They would have followed the star and on entering Jerusalem, Herod would have given them audience with all the country’s leaders. Each Magi in turn would have given their explanation for the heavenly phenomenon. (Matthew 2:4 And when he (Herod) had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born).
The Magi would have been familiar with the Jewish Old Testament and quoted to Herod from Micah 5:2 – but you Bethlehem in the land of Judea are not the least among the rulers of Judah, for out you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel. Looking back into the great prophetic history of the Magi, which were known to Aristotle, Plato and Xanthus (a Greek historian who lived around 400BC), there are references to a great ruler, born of a virgin who would drive out demons, raise the dead and have a sign of the resurrection, as well as conquering sin!
Herod allowed them to travel to Bethlehem where they found the King. It was fitting, that when the Great King was born, representatives of these Great Empires came to worship Him bringing gifts of honour.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. Psalm 72:10
As we give and receive gifts this Christmas let us remember that it is in honour of the King of Kings!
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.