Please read this passage before reading the homily.
There are in this gospel kings, priests, prophets, dreamers such as Joseph the patriarch, and gifts such as incense, gold and myrrh. Besides there is much mysterious magic. The mysterious magi come from the East, the land of mystery.
Matthew, in the first chapter of his gospel, taught us that Christ was the son of David, the great king of Israel. Herod was a Roman king, not of royal David’s blood. The Magi were looking for the king of the Jews, not a Roman king.
The Jewish priests knew that King of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Herod, the fake king, was looking to kill the true king, but the Magi were more cunning than Herod. Through the message of an angel, the Magi escape from the bad king and the true king makes his escape to Egypt safe and sound.
The ancient patriarch Joseph had dreams. Our Joseph likewise had a dream where the angels of the Lord advised him that Herod as seeking to kill children less than two years old. This dream saved the Child.
Centuries before, when the Israelites came to the Promised Land, Balaam was a pagan prophet. He had a vision of a star rising that would guide the descendants of Jacob. The star goes forth to guide the magi to the true king.
What is the mystery of the kings, the magi, the gifts, the star, and the conspiracy to kill the king? The mystery is that the life of Jesus, and our lives too, have greater meaning than a simple story. Situations come and go, but the word of God remains forever. The hope and fears of all the years are met in Jesus and in us.