NATIVITY By Mike Herron

could be further from the truth and it will soon be noted that it is best not to try and outwit a group of wise men.

9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Centuries before, Balaam, a prophet who lived by the Euphrates River in Babylon had foretold these moments. ‘ I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.’ (Num 24:17) On ancient Cuneiform (clay tablet) inscriptions from the astrologers of Babylon it is recorded that ‘a great king will arise in the west; then justice and righteousness, peace and joy will rule in all lands and bless all nations.’ 3 The star stood directly over Joseph and Mary's house in Bethlehem at it’s zenith, 12 pm midnight, guiding the wise men to the exact spot of the holy child. 4 …they were filled with joy! can best be described in modern vernacular as ‘they could hardly contain themselves’ (Mssg) because they were so happy at finding the location of the child. 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This event most likely took place after the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple. Had it happened before, Joseph and Mary would have had the means to sacrifice the more expensive lamb instead of the lesser doves and pigeons. In that time lapse they have seemingly moved into a more suitable house. The wise men bow down and worship (proskuneo) with absolute sincerity. ‘Their hearts must have beheld what their eyes did not see.’ 5 The worldly values of education, power and