The image of the three wise men has become increasingly used over recent years by Christmas card manufacturers who want a product which has a seasonal flavour, but presents the Christian message in a slightly oblique way. Some manufacturers’ catalogues, especially those targeted at business users, have precious little artwork that would indicate the Christian theme, and the three wise men are included, perhaps a little grudgingly, for those who insist on a religious dimension. It is a shame that this gospel episode has become, as it were, detached from the message of the incarnation because in Matthew’s Gospel the story is used to teach us vital aspects of the wonderful truth that God became man for us.
Familiarity with the story and the memory of the atmosphere of the school nativity play may lead us to miss some vital points. Whilst there are traditionally three wise men (because there are three gifts) Matthew does not actually tell us the number. He clearly uses the literary device of allegory, and does not intend us to take all the details at face value — for example; it would be difficult to identify an individual house by the presence of a star over it!
Matthew is telling us that the birth of Jesus is a global event which would change the course of history, despite the appearance of humble circumstances. He is also telling us that not everyone – indeed relatively few – would recognize Jesus for who he was, but only those who were open to the voice of the Holy Spirit, in whatever form it came.