We did not expect to find Him here.

Here, in the bustle and dust of this humble place called Bethlehem.

Surely such a momentous birth, such an arrival, should have taken place elsewhere. Somewhere more… prominent. But the star has led us precisely to this place.

And if there is anything we know well, it is how to track the lives of the stars above: their birth, seasonal movements, brilliant death. It is a science we have learned from our fathers, who learned it from their fathers before them. We have passed it on to our sons, as they will to theirs. And so on, and so forth. In our country, we are known as magi, the scientist-priests of a religion foreign to this land. We are counted among the best and most trusted advisers of our government in Babylon.

Some time back, while going about our duties, we observed a new star. A star heralding the birth a prince, who would be King of the Jews. The coming of this King was foretold many centuries ago, in the first year of the reign of the great king Darius. The prophet was that Hebrew adviser of great renown Belteshazzar, known as Daniel by his people. He foretold the downfall of our once great nation, and the rise and fall of multiple empires since. And he foretold of this King of the Jewish people, who would bring down all the kingdoms, and establish an everlasting Kingdom[1]. We never expected to see the arrival of this King in our lifetime. And yet, when we were least expecting it, we beheld His star in the sky.

And what does one do when the birth of such a great king is heralded? One pays homage. No matter the distance. No matter the cost.

Soon after the appearance of the King’s star, our delegation set course westward, for the land of the Jews. Bearing gifts, of course.

It has been many, many months since we left our home, following the star towards Jerusalem. Because if someone so important has been born, they must have been born in Jerusalem. Right? Or so we thought. Finally, we arrived, and sought an audience with the ruler of Jerusalem. We declared our peaceful intention to pay due honour to the future King, whose star had drawn us this country.

To our great surprise, King Herod denied the presence of a new-born prince within the walls of his palace. It seems the wise men of Israel were either oblivious to this historic event, or had chosen not to inform their king. Surely, news of the child’s birth would be cause for great celebration throughout the land. Surely?

It became apparent that our journey was not yet at an end. The star still shone bright over the land of Judea.

As we made preparation to continue our journey, King Herod invited us to return past the palace on our way home, in order that we could tell him where he, too, might go to worship this young prince[2].

We made our calculations anew, and set off where the star led. A short distance later, we arrived in this town. Bethlehem.

Unexpected.

But our calculations were correct. This was the town.

We reasoned, then, that the auspicious birth would be at the home of some nobleman or rich merchant. But, as dusk fell yet again, Nkanyezi[3] appeared to lead us elsewhere. And so, we followed it down the narrow, dusty streets of this ordinary town. That is, until we arrived at a place over which Nkanyezi seemed to shine especially brightly.

We called out a greeting at the ordinary door of a seemingly ordinary house[4].

“We have come to pay homage to the one born under the King’s star.”

The door opened to an ordinary, carpenter-y looking man. His expression must have mirrored ours. He must have been perplexed at the foreign (and illustrious) delegation at his threshold. His was a home unaccustomed to receiving dignitaries of any description. We were similarly perplexed at how ordinary he seemed, like a regular Joe. (His name was, in fact, Joseph.)

He welcomed us in, where we finally caught sight of Him. A toddler in the arms of His young mother. Again, an ordinary sight. Cute in the way of all young children, yes, but… So. Very. Ordinary. Nothing in His appearance marked him as very different from many other babies[5].

But Nkanyezi has definitely led us to this place.  (We are, after all and not to be prideful, among the most seasoned practitioners of our science, in the most prestigious institution of learning of our ancient empire.)

This is the place. This is Him.

A centuries old prophecy has been fulfilled in our sight, in our lifetime.

Though we are arthritic of knee, we kneel to present Him gifts fit for a King. Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh.

Though we have beheld the wonders of the night skies, of stars and worlds far from our own, we lower our eyes before this Prince.

Though we are old of age, we bow in worship to a baby.

We have told you these things, that you too may seek Him out. No longer a babe in arms. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, who died on a cross, was raised from the dead, and reigns forever more. Seek Him, you will find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart. You will find Him in unexpected places, in the midst of the ordinariness of life. Come, glorify He who will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Come, and adore Him.

We can return to our homeland in joy, our souls at peace.

But perhaps by a different route. That Herod had a slight “Eau de Homicide” scent about him.

Copyright reserved Gugulethu Mhlanga 2023.

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[1] Daniel 2:44

[2] Because apparently all the King’s own wise men did not know and could not tell him. That’s suspicious.

[3] Because by this time, after several months of studying the same star, you too would have given it a name. Nkanyezi means star.

[4] But perhaps, it only seemed so. It must be a security ploy; after all, a great King lived within.

[5] Isaiah 53:2