The Jews had been enslaved in their country seven centuries earlier, and talked of a "Messiah" who would one day set all mankind free from sin and death.

That idea became even more popular in the years preceding Christmas. The Roman historian Suetonius wrote, "There had spread over all the Orient an old and established belief, that it was fated for men coming from Judaea to rule the world."[1]

The Roman historian Tacitus said, "There was a firm persuasion that at this very time the East was to grow powerful, and rulers coming from Judaea were to acquire universal empire."[2]

According to the Jewish historian Josephus, the Jews believed that "about that time one from their country should become governor of the inhabitable earth."[3]

The Jewish scriptures even told the Magi when the Messiah would come:

"A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17).

And so, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (Isaiah 60:3).

"Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba [the Magi's homeland] will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord" (v. 6).

So the scriptures foretold that a star would come to announce the birth of this Messiah and lead us to him.

Then just such a star appeared before them, as we learned on Christmas Eve. The Scriptures said the King of the Jews would come; the scholars agreed; now the stars seemed to lend their assent. So the Wise Men set out on pilgrimage to find and worship him.