We celebrate a holy day adorned with three mysteries: this day the star led the Magi to the manger; this day wine was made from water at the wedding; this day Christ willed to be baptized in the Jordan by John in order to save us, alleluia. (Antiphon for the Magnificat, Second Vespers)
The Church prays
O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy that we who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
The Magi give us an example to follow: to walk diligently, to walk by faith guided by the indications of God –that is, the star– in order to arrive at what God wants to give. Himself. As Pope Benedict said on Friday, the Magi are the best example of “humanity’s pilgrimage to Jesus.” The giving of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh is merely the beginning of our gift to the Lord. Our gift is none other than ourselves, as freely as it is possible to give…
Our first point on the pilgrimage is what is sung in the “The First Nowell,” Then entered in there Wise Men three, Full reverently on bended knee….
By walking this pilgrimage to Jesus, the Magi arrive at Truth itself. Do we have the courage to do the same or do we succumb to human opinion?