Ever since I was a kid I have had a fascination with the Magi and that fascination evolved into a religious devotion to these mysterious, sainted travelers. In my living room in the rectory there are ten different sets of the Magi at present, from the Nativity scene to nutcrackers to ornaments to other images. The Gospel of Matthew tells us little about them, and history and Tradition tell us even less. Matthew names three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and so developed the concept of three individuals who have been given the names of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
Popularly we have called them kings and wise men but the Scriptures only give them the title of Magi, plural for mage. It has also been said that they came representing Europe, Africa, and Asia, but that is probably not the case either. Most historians and Scripture scholars point to their origin as being from Persia, modern day Iran. They were likely followers of Zoroastrianism, which in its more ancient form placed an emphasis on the study of the stars by its priests.
Matthew’s Gospel tells us that they observed “the star at its rising.” What they exactly saw we do not know. Modern day astronomers have suggested a possible supernova or an unusual alignment of planets. The fact that this may have been a natural phenomenon does not in any way diminish the fact that this sign heralded a supernatural event on earth; after all, does not creation serve its master and creator? What is fascinating is that there is evidence that this astronomical event took place within the constellation of Aries which was the Zodiac sign for Judea and would have lead the Magi to Jerusalem its capital and then on to Bethlehem following their audience with Herod.
Following the star would not have been easy. The journey from Persia to Bethlehem would have been long, difficult and fraught with danger, yet the Magi made the journey. Why? I wish I had a ready answer for that, but I believe it was because they were called. Something, or rather someone, put it on their hearts that something wonderful was waiting for them beneath that star. We say that they were guided by the star’s light but it was actually the light of faith that guided them. They did not know where they were going or what they would find, but they were called and they followed.
This is why the story of the Magi is so wonderful and pertinent for us in our discipleship. God is always calling to us, many times through the natural realities of our lives, beckoning us to follow the light that leads to him. The path is not always easy, sometimes we do not know where we are going, and maybe we might ask ourselves at times is the journey worth it? The Magi found the journey worth it because in presenting their gifts to the Christ child they were given the gift of joy in exchange. Herod is the great tragedy of the story. God was calling to him also, not through the star, but through the Magi themselves when they came asking about the new born king, but Herod was closed off to anyone but himself and was only concerned with following his own light.
May the grace of this wonderful Solemnity of the Epiphany teach us to guard against being self-referential and closed off, from thinking that life is all about us and that we have all the answers. May the grace of God open our eyes in faith to behold the many and varied ways that God’s light is calling to us, through the challenges and difficulties of this life, to the path that ultimately will lead us to true life in Christ.
Father Christopher House is the Rector-Pastor of the Cathedral and serves in various leadership roles within the diocesan curia, specifically Chancellor and Vicar Judicial.
We continue our journey through the Octave of Christmas this weekend with the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family. This feast reminds us that Jesus was raised in a home, that he grew in age, wisdom, and in knowledge of God’s will for his life. He also grew in grace and obedience under the care of Mary and Joseph. This feast is followed by the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on New Year’s Day. This solemnity marks the end of the Octave of Christmas by celebrating the motherhood of Mary, remembering that it was from her that Jesus took his human nature, becoming one with us in all things but sin. This year the obligation is lifted to attend Mass on January 1st because the solemnity falls on a Monday, however, Mass will still be offered on New Year’s Day at 9AM.
Here is proven the old saying that actions speak louder than words, in this case God’s actions. It is this great mystery of Christmas, God becoming one with us in all things but sin, that is a stumbling block to many people of faith outside of Christianity. Many can accept the notion of resurrection but that God would condescend to enter into our human condition….unthinkable. Yet, here we are again at the manger to celebrate this wonderful reality, this wonderful mystery of the Word made flesh, the love of God incarnate.
As we enter into Advent, we enter into a season of waiting. It is not often that we enjoy waiting. Waiting in a long line, waiting for test results to come back, waiting for a new job opportunity; waiting is a challenge for many of us. We get impatient, anxious, or needy. What we are waiting for makes it all worth it, right?