Six Biblical Characters, Six Streams of Faith—Christmas 1 The Evangelical Stream: The Magi

Published October 28, 2026

Updated October 28, 2026

Advent
By Peter Hoytema

This is part of the worship series, 
"Six Biblical Characters, Six Traditions of Faith”

Series Introduction 
 Advent 1  | Advent 2 | Advent 3 | Advent 4  
 Christmas Eve/Day | Christmas 1 

First Sunday after Christmas

The Evangelical Stream: The Magi

Streams of living water
Scripture

Isaiah 61:10–62:3
Responsorial setting of Psalm 148 Brooke 
Galatians 4:4–7

Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1–12
Sermon-Building Ideas

Foster calls the evangelical tradition the Word-centered life, and the Magi stand out as biblical proponents of this stream for good reason. Theologians often break the concept of the Word of God into three categories: the Word of creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ. All three come into play in Matthew’s record of the Magi’s visit to Jesus.

  • The Word of creation: The star initially leads the Magi from their homeland to Jerusalem. God communicates to these astrologers by means of general revelation in the created order. Creation is a Word from God. It “says” something, as Psalm 19 affirms. In their study of creation, the Magi received revelation from God and responded to it.
  • The Word of Scripture: God’s revelation in creation says only so much. A greater voice is needed if people are to understand more about who God is. This is where Scripture comes in. Once in Jerusalem, the Magi hear the prophecy of Micah, which indicates more precisely where the birth of Jesus would take place.
  • The Word of Jesus Christ: God’s revelation culminates in the fullest appearance of the Word—the Word made flesh. This is the final destination for the Magi, and they appropriately worship Jesus, pouring out their gifts before him. In his poem “For the Time Being,” W. H. Auden has the Magi saying, “Oh, here and now our endless journey stops,” as they kneel before the Christ.

The progress in this pattern is obvious: the Word of creation brings us to the Word of Scripture, which in turn brings us to the Word of Jesus Christ. The glory of creation and the truth of Scripture are designed to bring us where the Magi went: to Jesus, the greatest revelation of God, and the rightful recipient of the worship of the nations.  

Prayer
Streams of living water

Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. Amen.
—Augustine from The Complete Book of Christian Prayer, p. 4.

This prayer was written by Augustine (354-430), the Bishop of Hippo and one of the greatest Christian theologians ever to have lived. Best known for his books The City of God and Confessions, Augustine was a great defender of the Christian faith. His thought continues to influence Christian theology to this day.

Song Suggestions

“How Bright Appears the Morning Star” Nicolai and Bach 
“As with Gladness Men of Old” Dix et al.
“Bright and Glorious Is the Sky” Grundtvig et al.
“Beautiful Savior” Munster et al
“Blessed Jesus, at Your Word” Clausnitzer et al.
“Shine, Jesus, Shine” Carlson

Revised Common Lectionary

Years A, B, C: Epiphany—Epiphany of the Lord

Year B: Christmas—First Sunday after Christmas