Jouneying in the Light

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Recently, I was sent an email that explained in detail the origin and religious meaning of the verses in the song "The 12 Days of Christmas". Apparently, the song was written in a time of religious persecution to help Christians secretly learn the basics of their faith. The whole song is an allegory. The "partridge in a pear tree" stands for Jesus on the Cross; the "two turtle doves" refer to the Old and New Testaments; the "3 French hens" stand for faith, hope and love; the "4 calling birds" refer to the Gospel writers - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - and so on it goes, ending with the "12 drummers drumming" which refer to the 12 points of belief expressed the Apostle's Creed.

Now, I found the explanations interesting, but I prefer to just have fun with the song! I prefer to gather with a group of friends in the post-Christmas glow and laugh uproariously as we try to sing the song in parts. I prefer trying to imagine what it would be like having 8 maids-a-milking in my front hall, and 6 geese a-laying eggs in the kitchen, and 7 swans a-swimming in my front hall, and 6 geese a-laying eggs in the kitchen, and 7 swans a-swimming in the bathtub upstairs, and 11 pipers piping in the living room, than to know that these verses are really about the 8 Beautitudes, and the 6 days of creation and the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the 11 faithful diciples. Explanations are interesting and at certain times, are important, but so too, is mystery having fun and somehow - at least in the Christmas Seaons - when it comes to "The Twelve Days of Christmas", I prefer mystery. I prefer to have fun.

I feel the same way about the story of the Magi. Matthew is the only Gospel writer to include the story of the Magi and he gives us very few details. In 12 short verses, we are told only that some time after Jesus' birth - we don't know exactly when (it could have been twelve days, it could have been two years) - some "Magi" or "Wise Men" came from somewhere in the east seekng Jesus. They had seen a star in the sky and decided to follow it's light. We know that they stopped in Jerusalem to ask for directions. We know that King Herod was alarmed - threatened by the thought of a so-called "new born King" in this country. We know that the Magi eventually found their way to Bethlehem, and they found the child, and that they worshipped Him and gave Him gifts. And we know that "being warned in a dream", they did not return to Jerusalem, but went home by another way.

This is what we know about the Magi. It is all we know for sure. Over the centuries, tradition has added many details. Tradition says that there were 3 wise men, and that they were Kings, and that they came from Persia; that there names were Casper, Melchior and Balthasar; that they were 20, 40 and 60 years old and that, by race, they were white skinned, yellow skinned and black skinned. Tradition says that in Christmas pageants, the Magi wear rich robes of silk and velvet and brocade and gold crowns on their heads and ermine-trimmed capes. And while these details are interesting, it's important that we don't let them overshadow that essential mystery of the story; the mystery that a group of people left everything they knew and were comfortable with, in order to follow the leading of God's light.