A Perspective the Magi from Long Ago Might Speak to Americans Today

Today marks a one-week anniversary that is far from celebratory. Last Wednesday, your nation watched as it seemed to lose control of itself. Those scenes from Washington, D.C., will most likely redefine the 6^th of January — far from how it has been observed for centuries. January 6 should be a day of celebration, but the annual recollection of those images at the U.S. Capitol might forever overshadow a very special anniversary and occasion.

January 6 is supposed to be the day to celebrate a holy moment in faith, the day of Epiphany. It is the annual observance of my personal appearance before the Christ Child. The reason my visit back then warrants its own day of commemoration is that you would certainly not imagine that I, of all people, belonged there. I only made the trek from the east because I was a student of the stars. Our findings pointed to this unusually brilliant star as a monumental marker of extraordinary historical value, so I dared not miss it. I was part of a mysterious group known as Magi, and we were far from being considered followers of Jewish traditions.

Indeed, it is that vast contrast between the Jewish baby and me, a sage of the stars, that created a lasting impression in your faith.

The day of Epiphany traditionally marks the occasion when Jesus revealed himself to the world. My presence with the child unveiled the revelation that his mission would reach far beyond the followers of the Jewish faith. Our brief experience together symbolized that the love of Jesus was for the entire world. That seismic revelatory insight into Christ’s purpose was truly an epiphany.

Yet, on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the day of Epiphany took a much darker tone. Instead of love, there was hate. Instead of peace, violence. Instead of joy, anger. The day of Epiphany is about the child’s coming to widen the embrace of love, not narrow it.

On our way to see the child, King Herod met us secretly with the ominous instruction: “…Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” (Matt. 2:8). When we finally found Jesus, there was something unique about him. I cannot begin to put it into words; it was an experience like no other. This child emanated a spirit of love, even for those of us who were foreign to his family’s beliefs. When our eyes met, a captivating aura of love and light enveloped me with such force that I immediately knelt in reverential response.

After giving our gifts, we dreamed of King Herod, cautioning that he did not mean well for the child. Instead of reporting back to him, as directed, we followed our premonition and intuition and returned home “…by another route” (Matt. 2:12). In retrospect, we now know that to be the wisest thing we “wise men” did.

So that brings us to today. What does the day of Epiphany have to do with the riotous behavior in your nation’s capital? Nothing, and that’s the point. It is hard to reconcile such violent anger on a day which you historically have spent embracing the Gospel of love for all people.

Even though you call me a wise man, I don’t know all the answers to your problems. But here is what I do know: what happened last Wednesday is not the solution. I only know of one vaccine for the hatred that has divided your country, damaged your friendships, and even destroyed your own family bonds.

The answer lies in what happened that day in Bethlehem. As the brilliant star shined, the presence of the child wrapped me with love. We shared very little in common, but his love found me when I found him.

When it was time to depart, I could not go back to the king’s odious plotting. My new road was now illuminated by the love that the child projected. I now knew to walk within the path of love, even when, or especially when, my steps might intersect with those who differ from me.   

Perhaps there was an epiphany last Wednesday after all… when you have been in the presence of the child, you cannot continue your journey the same way. If you have bowed to Christ, you must resume your journey “by another route.”

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Scripture references are from the New International Version.

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