Begotten of the Father Before the Daystar Shone

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”

Matthew 2:2

Christ’s Pre-Existence

The star that led the magi to the Infant Christ served the Eternal King who existed “before the daystar shone.” The Vespers antiphon draws on centuries of patristic reflection on Psalm 110:3, particularly the Septuagint and Vulgate (109:3) renderings: From the womb before the daystar I begot thee.

Psalm 110 points toward a transcendent, eternal relationship between God and the Messianic Son of David. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, King David called his own son “lord” (Mark 12:35-37). “The Father and I are one,” Jesus claimed, inciting the Jews to stone him for blasphemy (John 10:30). Earlier, Jesus declared his pre-existence by invoking God’s mysterious identity at the burning bush: “Before Abraham came to be, I AM” (John 8:58). 

The Magi’s Royal Gifts

From Herod the Great and Herod Antipas to Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate, attempts to kill the person of the Son of God failed, for divinity cannot die. As man, Christ died on the Cross, but flesh united to the Son of God rose from the grave to live forever. The magi’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh paid homage to the King of Kings in his royal, priestly, and sacrificial roles.

The star burned like a flame, pointing the way to God, the King of kings; the wise men saw the sign and brought their gifts in homage to their great King.

Liturgy of the Hours, Epiphany, Vespers I, Antiphon 3

Traditional Chinese Translation

《晨星閃耀（時間開始之前）由天父所生》
晨星閃耀由天父所生，
主我們的救主今天已經出現在地球上。