Reflections On The Epiphany

The visit of The Three Magi or Wise Men from the East as told in Matthew 2:1-12, brings up some interesting considerations that give us a window early in the gospels into how God works. A quick rundown on six highlights:

• The birth of Christ was  disclosed to these philosophers/magicians from the East by a star but was disclosed to the Jewish Shepherds by an angel. Even God shares His good news in whatever language/culture that people will understand and be comfortable with. St. Paul encourages those who would evangelize to others to “Be all things to all people”. Meet them in their comfort zone, in their way of doing things, love them there and introduce them to Christ in that zone, then let God do the pruning and growth. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 1 Cor.9:22.
• The Wise Men were pagans who venerated the stars. Hence the attention paid to the unusual star they observed, and the curiosity to know where it came from  or what it signified so they could worship there. God in His infinite wisdom turned the object of their worship into the guiding light that would lead them to Christ
• Herod’s deceitful request to the Magi to let him know where Jesus was so he could go worship Him later is one of the first examples in the gospel  where we learn how often we have the most wicked people hiding under a mask of piety or love for God. Some Christians who seem to be earnest to worship Jesus are evil personified. Another confirmation would be Jesus later saying in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who acknowledges Him as Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven, only those who obey His Father’s will.
• The star that initiated the journey from the East must have disappeared since the Magi went to ask Herod for directions. However it reappeared after they left Herod and led them safely to Jesus. There are portions of our journey in life where it will seem like we are helpless or lost without guidance. But when our sights are set on beholding Jesus at the end of our lives and our goals tie in with glorifying God’s name, we can be confident that even if we take a step in the wrong direction, we will be brought back to the right track. These could also be times where God expects us to do all that we can with the ordinary means we have before He steps in with extra-ordinary help.
• When they saw Jesus, they fell down and worshipped Him. They had paid homage to King Herod, but they worshipped Baby Jesus because they recognized him as King AND God. Even the wisest of men understand the limits of their earthly wisdom, and bow before Divine wisdom in humility and awe. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness”. 1 Cor.3:19
• They generously presented costly gifts from their hometowns to Christ but we are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices. It is only when we fully give our lives over to God that we find it easy to generously part with treasured gifts and resources in the service of God, and bless others for the glory of God.

The Three Wise Men were gentiles whose lives were most likely changed forever by the guiding starlight that led to their encounter with Jesus. May we who are privileged to  hold the light of Christ in our hearts be guiding lights to others and lead them also to an encounter with Christ. Amen.