Happy Epiphany. Often this day is referred to as Three Kings Day or Day of the Wise Men but our text does not say that the Magi were kings, men or three in number. The text says that they were Magi, in some translations astrologers. The text says they came from the East, meaning that these visitors were not of the Jewish faith tradition; that they were Gentiles. So part of today’s celebration is focused on God’s gift of Jesus to all of humanity, not only to the Jews, the promised people of God, but to all the world. God does not have favorites; God shows no partiality.
But let’s look at this wonderful account of Jesus’ early days in a couple of different ways. First off let’s consider the Magi, what and who they were or might have been. Historically Magi were learned ones (okay most probably men) practicing the religion of Zoroaster and they were from the area of ancient Persia. Steven Williamson writes,
“The Magi were priests and astronomers. They were NOT alchemists or magicians (although the term "magic" comes from Magi). However, the word Magi actually means "generous" or "benefactor" - as in the word "magnanimous." Zoroastrians were also known for their devotion to truth and wisdom…” (From Steven Williamson at www.therealmagi.com)
We have just heard Matthew’s story of their travels and with our new found historical background, I would like to offer another “story”, a Midrash, of this event written by author Kathy Coffee entitled “Madga, the Wise One.”
My gift was not recorded. My companions brought gold, frankincense and myrrh, but I had a hunch these were not gifts for a child.I had labored long and hard on the cloth I would wrap around the little one, pouring my hope into fabric soft as gossamer. Its colors were the brilliant jade of the first spring leaves against a creamy background, the froth of waterfall.
I had taken up weaving in self-defense, my only nod to “the feminine arts.” I never cleaned, stubbornly avoided cooking and on principal, refused to do another’s dirty laundry … Some people branded me a loner but I didn’t mind … The neighbors considered it eccentric for a woman to read as much as I did, but I could dismiss the clucking and burrow deep into study … I have seen the look on my sister’s face, when she cannot take her eyes off her new baby’s face. When I am deeply absorbed in reading I feel the same way.
Maybe that’s why I was inevitably drawn to a project suggested by one of my colleagues. Everyone else sneered at the idea of an arduous trip with no clear destination … I tingled with anticipation … The other scholars agreed to take a woman along only because so few men were willing to go. How could I pass up my chance?
It was all fine until we arrived … Years later I could remember the tiny details of the journey … But all the joy was in the journey. What a disappointment when we got there. First there’d been the nasty business with the local king, pesky and probing. Once we’d gotten the information we needed from his scholars, I urged the group to hurry out of there ... When the star finally stopped, I was reluctant to enter the hovel beneath the glow…I was shocked at the squalor. I grasped my weaving tightly, hesitant to let it touch the muddy floor. When my eyes finally adjusted to the dimness, my heart sank. (After) all these years deliberately childless, must my career reach its pinnacle in this little Child?
At least I rose to the occasion…and wrapped the fleece around his tiny arms and legs. As I did, it was if rigid lines blending the distinction between giver and gift blurred…and dissolved with this child. His mother was accepting me in a way my closest relatives were not. She stroked my weaving with reverence, clearly it was her favorite gift.
…I left with many unanswered questions: if only I knew why I’d come so far to see an unimpressive family and their thoroughly ordinary son… Many years later I heard from a merchant about an especially brutal crucifixion she’d witness during her travels. The soldiers, she said, threw dice for the criminal’s clothing. How banal, I thought at first. Why tell me this sordid tale? But then she mentioned the color of the cloth, a faded green against a pearly background. A detail only a woman would notice … Could there be a connection to the child, the star?
Since we have now been introduced to another way of hearing Matthew’s biblical account maybe some of you might remember a short story written in 1895 by Henry van Dyke.
It tells about a "fourth" wise man (accepting the tradition that the Magi numbered three), a priest of the Magi named Artaban, one of the Medes from Persia. Like the other Magi, he sees signs in the heavens proclaiming that a King had been born among the Jews. Like them, he sets out to see the newborn ruler, carrying treasures to give as gifts to the child - a sapphire, a ruby, and a "pearl of great price". However, he stops along the way to help a dying man, which makes him late to meet with the caravan of the other three wise men. Because he missed the caravan, and he can't cross the desert with only a horse, he is forced to sell one of his treasures in order to buy the camels and supplies necessary for the trip. He then commences his journey but arrives in Bethlehem too late to see the child, whose parents have fled to Egypt. He saves the life of a child during the slaughter of the innocents at the price of another of his treasures.
He then travels to Egypt and to many other countries, searching for Jesus for many years and performing acts of charity along the way. After 33 years, Artaban is still a pilgrim, and a seeker after light. Artaban arrives in Jerusalem just in time for the crucifixion of Jesus. He spends his last treasure, the pearl, to ransom a young woman from being sold into slavery. He is then struck in the head by a falling roof tile and is about to die, having failed in his quest to find Jesus, but having done much good through charitable works. A voice tells him "Verily I say unto thee, Inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me."(Matthew 25:40)[4] He dies in a calm radiance of wonder and joy. His treasures were accepted, and the Other Wise Man found his King. (Wikipedia)
So now we have more information about Magi, two more plausible stories to consider about the visit to Jesus and the desire to give gifts to God but why is it called epiphany? The word Epiphany itself has several meanings; “to show, to make known, an awakening to a new thought or way of being”. Also let’s focus on another “E” word of this liturgical season, Emmanuel. Do you all remember what Emmanuel means? “God with us!”
Since Jesus has been born and has come to us, Jesus God is our Emmanuel, our God with us! Will we be the Magi of our time, those helping to show or make known the wonder of God in our midst, our Emmanuel, Jesus Christ the anointed one! Will we have an epiphany of our own, a transformative way of being, thinking and acting because of the incarnation of Jesus? Magda and Artaban searched and found the One to whom they gave their heartfelt gifts. Let us too be the “wise women and men seeking the star of Light, Christ Jesus.” Amen.