This story has people arriving from the East. The bible was originally written in Greek. The word to describe them is magoi. This has been translated in modern times as “wise men” (too generic); “kings” (incorrect), “astrologers” (partially correct but confusing because of modern connotations). Best word is Magi. We don’t even know how many there were, but because they brought 3 gifts [show examples] gold, frankincense and myrrh, we assume they were three.
What we do know, is that they were men. Which as some of my female friends have pointed out. “Duh. Of course. For if they were women they would have arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, and brought practical gifts like diapers, a hot dish and a bottle of wine.”
Still these men brought gifts that were probably more symbolic. St. Irenaeus (2 century) says, “The gifts signify the mystery of the Incarnate Word.” (God who has become human):
gold, a symbol of royalty, represents his kingship;
frankincense, used in worship, points to his divinity;
and myrrh represents his humanity, particularly in his passion and death
They also probably studied the stars and followed a light, a particular star. And scholars aren’t sure what the star was . . . ,a comet? a supernova? planets lined up together?
It doesn’t matter, for the point is that they followed a light that pointed to Jesus. God becoming human. And the beauty is not only that Jesus was God, God was in Jesus, but that God is in each of us. We are not God, but God is in each of us.
And I speculate that Jesus had a glow about him, even at his birth. That is, a radiance of God in him, with him, through him. And you could say that each of us has this glow in us. As the story symbolizes God did not just come for the Israelites, but for all people no matter their race, tribe, gender, language or nation.
So think about someone you know who really glows with the presence of God. Now think of someone who isn’t glowing so much. Perhaps it’s not that they don’t have God in them, but that the “God glow” needs to be renewed.
Think of that someone who isn’t glowing so well now . . . as a flashlight. [Show a flashlight].
When a flashlight grows dim, do you throw it away? Of course not. You change the batteries. When a person messes up or finds themselves in a dark place, do you cast them aside? Of course not. You help them change their batteries.
Some need Double A batteries, that is AA . . . authenticity and awareness. Help them discover that they don’t have to be like anyone else – be themselves, AUTHENTICITY. And help them get recharged by becoming AWARE of what’s making them grow dim – maybe it’s the bad habit, or it’s not good healthy practices.
Some people need a D battery, that is, DIRECTION. That is, a helpful nudge, not a judgement but an example of what has worked for you. Share your faith, don’t hide it under a bushel basket.
Some people need a C battery, that is, CHRIST. That is, to know that God is NOT out there somewhere, but God in humans, in others and in themselves.
And still after helping them get renewed and rethinking about themselves, if their light still doesn’t seem to shine . . . well then, sit with them lovingly. Sr. Joan Chittister, “For there is no amount of darkness that can extinguish the inner light. The important thing is not to spend our lives trying to control the environment around that person. The task is help them control the environment within that person.”