"These Are the Makings of Magi"

(Matthew 2:1-13)

As I look back, it was one of those "should have" moments. Quite a few years ago, a young acolyte, seeing that no one was dressed as magi for Epiphany Sunday, turned to me and whispered, "Where are the magi? Are there no wise men today?" My answer (with all of the “grand knowledge” of the worship team leader) was, "Nope, not today. Not this year." Her question echoed within me as I sat on the pew during the worship service that day and all I could do was to shake my head in dismay at my own answer. Why did I say that to her? I should have said, "I am looking at one when I look at you and you are looking at one when you look at me. To follow the star, to not only look heavenward but to travel with others in our faith and questions, to ask where Jesus can be found, to bow in worship in the presence of our Lord, to present the best gifts of ourselves to God … these are the makings of magi."

Our Epiphany-thinking so often is centered around the details of the story found in Matthew … details that are both quite obvious and omitted. It seems important for me to add verse 13 to the story of the Visit of the Magi. With it brings a darkness that has never really left when the cries of the Christ-child first pierced the night air. The world is still a world that finds itself in darkness. Herod somehow still creeps into the outskirts of the sweetness of our Christmases. For all that the magi brought with them on their journey and for the perseverance of their searching and seeking and traveling "moor and mountain", for carrying precious gifts, they were also following the Light that shines in the darkness. These are the makings of magi.

I can take a deep breath and remember the first time that I smelled the strange, sweet fragrance of frankincense or the heavy, foreboding fragrance of myrrh. My eyes might gleam at the sight of gold. I wonder, at times, if the gift canisters of the magi were encased with jewels or if the dust of the journey ruined their robes. Did the camels (and naysayers) spit on them? Were their bodies aching to the point of exhaustion? I can search for the details not found in the Scriptures but what leads me to the Christ-child once again is the Light in the darkness that keeps us focused and moving forward.

God is exceptionally good at Star-hanging and Light-giving, you know …. and each of us has the makings of magi within us!