What made the wise men "wise"?

The gospel narratives tell us that there were those who recognized the Jesus was the Messiah, even when he was a child. Of course the shepherds were the first to visit, informed by a heavenly chorus that Christ was born. But later, likely arriving around the second birthday of Jesus came wise men baring gifts. The gospel of Matthew records for us the account of the visit. Matthew 2:1-2 records, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”” Of course King Herod was intimidated by their visit because anyone who could claim to be “King of the Jews” threatened his position. But what made the wise men “wise” was not only their ability to navigate by the stars and recognize their significance but also, and perhaps more importantly, it was their desire to worship that distinguished them from others. Herod was threatened when he heard of Christ, but the wise men desired to worship him, wise men still desire to worship him. When the wise men found the Christ child they delivered him gifts, expensive gifts, their heart of worship led them to give. A heart of worship will always lead us to give. As we move through the Christmas season I hope that our hearts will be challenged to worship Jesus and to give, in the tradition of the wise men. We give because Christ has so freely given to us. May we be like the wise men and “Rejoice” at the prospect of giving and worshiping.