The Magi opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
We carry so many gifts in us. Kindness. Hospitality. Respect. Creativity. Forgiveness. Generosity. Good humor. Helpfulness. Love.
Whenever we offer our gifts to others, we offer them to the Lord.
Today I will open the treasure of my heart and share one of my gifts with someone in need.
[The magi] were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11
When I open my heart, treasures of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, courtesy, respect, love, peace, and compassion bless the world.
Today I will offer the treasures of my heart to everyone I encounter.
attributed to Payag (Indian)
The Magi Follow the Star, from a Mirror of Holiness (Mir’at al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier, SJ (1549–1617)
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper, between 1602 and 1604
Cleveland Museum of Art
And behold, the star that [the magi] had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9b
Would I have seen the star that would lead me to find Jesus? Or would I have been like King Herod, unable to see and follow, afraid and troubled?
Today I will look for and pay homage to the light of God’s self-revelation in nature, in the people I encounter, in prayer and meditation. I will not be afraid to welcome God’s presence.
JESUS MAFA. The Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
The star of the Christ leads me by the light of love, hope, compassion, and peace to reveal God’s goodness in me, my neighbor, and the world.
Other stars in our world attract me with the promise of riches, power, ease, and fame.
And then there are the dark stars that seduce me into depression, despair, and discontent.
I must choose with the wisdom of the magi the star I will follow.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9b
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9b
Those who have made the trek, followed the star, and encountered the Christ teach me that the power and light of love can never be fully obscured. May their example renew my faith when it is clouded by pain, depression, or grief, and rekindle my hope when it is diminished by disappointment, disillusionment, or discouragement.
JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved January 8, 2017]
Go gently, intentionally in the presence of God.
On entering the house [the magi] saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:11
John Flaxman (1755-1826)
The Adoration of the Magi
Graphite with gray wash and watercolor on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Yale Center for British Art
Today I will pay homage to the Lord by honoring his call to love my neighbor and forgive my enemies, by searching for his Holy Spirit in each person I encounter, and by making good use of my gifts and talents in his service.
[The magi] prostrated themselves and did [Jesus] homage. Matthew 2:11
Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy: The Three Wise Men (named Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar). Detail from: “Mary and Child, surrounded by angels”, mosaic of a Ravennate italian-byzantine workshop, completed within 526 AD by the so-called Master of Sant’Apollinare
By Nina-no (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
[The magi] saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:11
Adoration of the Magi (detail)
Fra Angelico and Filippo Lippi, ca.1445
[The magi] were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Matthew 2:10-11
I’d like to follow in the footsteps of the magi, so eager to find the Christ, so overjoyed to find him, so humbled by the experience that they fell to their knees.
Mary Ann McSweeny 