For most Christians, the magi play a memorable role in the story of Christmas, though they appear only in the Gospel of Matthew, where we learn very little concrete information about them. Many versions of their story blossomed from the Gospel’s twelve or so verses across the centuries of Christian tradition. Nicholas Mynheer’s The Magi Consult the Stars is built upon and contributes to that beloved artistic tradition (mynheer-art.co.uk).
Mynheer depicts three men—the most traditional number, aligned with the number of gifts they bore—huddled together around a chart of the night sky. Matthew’s Gospel identifies the travelers as magoi, which was translated in the King James Bible as “wise men.” Indeed, they would have been considered “men of science,” well versed in both astronomy and astrology, the study of which was, in their time, inextricably intertwined. The Gospel story tells us they followed a star that moved inexplicably across the sky, leading them to Jerusalem from the east. Some scholars say they may have come from Babylon, a journey of nearly 900 miles, perhaps more, which would have taken months by caravan under the best of conditions. Although there is little we can know from the sparse language of Matthew’s
Gospel, it is clear that they were unwavering in their resolve to find and pay homage to the newborn king of the Jews.
While the star that led the magi to the Christ child no longer shines in the winter sky, it still burns brightly in the hearts of all Christians. And we still follow where it leads, sometimes a long and difficult journey. With the magi, let us remain steadfast in our determination to encounter and worship the King of Peace. Long may he live and reign in our hearts.
