Gentile Wise Men Worship a Jewish Messiah

Our familiarity with the story of the "three wise men" frequently causes us to think we know this story, and consequently to miss the many important lessons the Holy Spirit desires to teach us. There are at least five misconceptions that we commonly embrace concerning the magi: 1. That they were kings, for we sing "We three kings of Orient are..." but nothing in the text indicates they were kings. 2. That there were 3 of them, but the Scriptures only indicate that they brought 3 gifts. 3. That they traveled alone by camel, but carrying such expensive treasures hundreds of miles would have required the presence of a caravan complete with armed guards. 4. That they saw the baby Jesus, when actually they saw the two year old toddler Jesus. 5. That they came to the stable in Bethlehem, when actually they came to a home that Joseph & Mary had either purchased or rented. Getting through these misconceptions, what is the point of this story? That God's grace came to a group of pagan Gentile astrologers, that Jesus is not only the glory of His people Israel, He is also the light of the Gentiles!