January 4th, 2021

Who are the Magi? Who are these Ma-goi, or Magi? We’ve tried to translate the Greek into Astronomer, Astrologer, Kings, and Wise men. Astronomer - because they were men who studied the stars. Astrologers - because they tried to read the signs given by those stars. Kings – perhaps because the Old Testament prophecies, one of which we hear in the first reading from Isaiah, speak of Kings being led to God by a bright light, coming from the East, bearing gifts of gold and frankincense. And wise men – which perhaps best captures who they are from the eternal perspective. Why wise men? Wisdom can be spoken of in many ways, and is something that all pursue, though perhaps not always looking in the right place. Wisdom, as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, is the highest in their order, and crowns the activity of the rest. Wisdom is a gift from God to see things from His perspective. In this sense, these Magi were truly wise. They knew that God was the author of all creation, and sought [...]