“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” These men were not Jews; but they had been waiting for the predicted Messiah. They had studied prophecy, and knew the time was at hand when Christ would come; and they were anxiously watching for some sign of this great event, that they might be among the first to welcome the infant heavenly King, and worship him. These wise men were philosophers, and had studied the works of God in nature. In the wonders of the heavens, in the glories of the sun, moon, and stars, they traced the finger of God. They were not idolaters. They lived up to the dim light which shone upon them. These men were regarded by the Jews as heathen; but they were more pure in the sight of God than the Jews who had been privileged with great light, and who made exalted professions, yet did not live up to the light God had given them. These wise men had seen the heavens illuminated with light, which enshrouded the heavenly host who heralded the advent of Christ to the humble shepherds. And after the angels returned to Heaven, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the heavens. {2SP 20.1}

"Da nu Jesus var født i Betlehem i Judæa, i kong Herodes' dage, se, da kom der nogle vismænd fra Østerland til Jerusalem og spurgte: »Hvor er jødernes nyfødte konge? Thi vi har set hans stjerne i østen og er kommet for at tilbede ham.« Disse mænd var ikke jøder; men de havde ventet på den forudsagte Messias. De havde studeret profetien, og vidste at tidspunktet var nær hvor Kristus ville komme; og de ventede ivrigt efter et tegn på denne store begivenhed, at de måtte være de første der bød det himmelske kongebarn velkommen, og tilbede ham. Disse vise mænd var filosoffer, og havde studeret Guds værker i naturen. I himlens undere, i solens, månens og stjernernes herlighed, havde de opsporet Guds finger. De var ikke afgudsdyrkere. De levede op til det dunkle lys som skinnede på dem. Disse mænd betragtede jøderne som hedninge; men de var renere i Guds øjne end jøderne, som var blevet privilegeret med stort lys, og som gjorde ophøjede bekendelser, men levede ikke op til det lys Gud havde givet dem. Disse vise mænd havde set himlene oplyst med lys, som omgav den himmelske hær, som bebudede Kristi komme for de ydmyge hyrder. Og efter at englene var vendt tilbage til himlen, vise en klar stjerne sig, og forblev på himlene.