Magi Returning

Magi Returning
Epiphany; Matthew 2:1-12
“Epiphany” means that flash of insight
or moment of joyful awareness
that seems like a precious gift,
to which our response is gratitude
maybe followed by exploration,
or even difficult commitment
if we live into what’s revealed.

Where did epiphany take the magi
who had already travelled far
in search of a significant child
whose existence would verify
their scholarly interpretation
of prophecies, dreams and stars.

Exploring where wisdom leads
requires a journey, but swift insight
may change the destination and arrival
may surprise by transforming
all reasonable hypotheses.

Did the wise ones painfully discover
that encounter with the divine
is not to be found or safely shared
in ornate palaces of power?
Where did that leave them,
if indeed they were kings
who would journey back
by another road
to the countries left behind?

Did they regret the treasures
suited to a royal child
but given to a poor family
about to become refugees?
Or were they glad at least
to offer some recompense
because they were at fault
straying from star path to palace
and revealing their mission
to a jealous and murderous king?

Modern mercenary minds resist
receiving or responding to epiphanies,
or recognizing the wisdom of the wise.
Now few would set out
guided by prophecies, dreams and stars,
while many are easily distracted
by the lure of power and wealth
and lose track of their star path
once so bravely chosen.
As for poor children and refugees,
there are few gifts to sustain them
and few countries to harbour them.
Jesus was fortunate in that respect.

What did these foreign travelers see
when they knelt before this child?
Were they enchanted by a limpid gaze,
a hint of future wisdom beyond theirs?
How could they learn from such a child,
as yet too young to teach in words?
How could they follow his way of life
when they returned to far off lands?

In Eliot’s Journey of the Magi, they returned
“no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
with an alien people clutching their gods”,
but what if insight opened inner eyes,
liberating their view of God,
and their perception of humanity,
so they judged no-one alien, all akin?
Would they not change how wisdom ruled,
more just, more humble and more kind?
	Barbara Messner 30/12/2025