Thread by @Bezner

Today is #Epiphany, the day we remember the magi from the east coming to pay homage to the Christ child.

Although the Bible is not explicit, I have long appreciated the theory that that magi are the spiritual descendants of the prophet Daniel.

There are several clues. (Cont.)

First , Daniel was a magi himself in the Babylonian court following his exile. The magi (wise men) served as counselors and dream interpreters to the king and his entourage. Joseph would have been a magi of sorts. Makes sense Daniel could have passed down prophecy in Babylon.

Second, they come from the East. This could be any number of places, but given the way geographical locations were discussed at the time, Babylon/Persia makes sense. They particularly would have resources to send such a caravan. Additionally, it rules out a place like Egypt.

Perhaps most compelling, they explicitly tell Herod they are looking for “the king of the Jews.” How would such an astronomical phenomenon be linked to the Jews unless another Jew had passed down this knowledge? The Jewish exile to Babylon makes the most sense.

So, theory: Daniel and his friends receive a prophetic revelation of the Christmas Star from the Lord and leave record of it when they are released from captivity. They tell those remaining: “Look for this star. When it appears, we have a new king.”

And so they do.

How powerful is our God?

He brings descendants of the people who destroyed the Temple to a place where they willingly travel and worship the Messiah. They enthrone him with gifts. They worship Him. They treat him as King, not Herod.

But God, y’all.