The Themes of the Magi

Today, we encounter the Magi—these mysterious, foreign, "wise men" that come searching for the Christ child… Who were they? Why is this part of the story? What were they really looking for?

I want us to look at three themes of the Magi- 
1. The Gentile Theme, 
2. The Contrast Theme, and 
3. The Astronomical Theme…. And then I want to end with a couple of ideas for the New Year for you and me.