You might be familiar with the local Greek Orthodox celebration of Epiphany during which young men contend with one another to retrieve a Cross thrown into Spring Bayou.  If you’ve ever wondered why Epiphany involves submersion in water during cold weather, it is because, in its original form, the feast of the Epiphany celebrated Jesus’ baptism by John at the Jordan River. 

For the first several centuries of the Church’s life, the Baptism of the Lord was considered to be the first public manifestation of Jesus’ divine nature and mission.  In the Middle Ages, the celebration of Christmas in western Christianity led to interpreting the visit of the magi as the first public manifestation of Jesus.  Hence, today, we read part of Matthew’s Infancy Narrative for the feast of the Epiphany. 

The western reinterpretation of Epiphany raises not only the issue of primacy between the Baptism of the Lord and the Christmas season, but the issue of the fate of the magi, as well. 

Matthew’s Gospel tells us that “magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.” (Mt 2:1)  The original readers of the Gospel would have recognized these men as clergy of Zoroastrianism, the native religion of the Persian Empire.   

In the ancient world, there was a common belief that famous, powerful, and influential people were born under portentous conditions, like the star mentioned in the Gospel.  Today, we struggle to see any stars at night because of the amount of light in modern cities and suburbs but, in the ancient world, the idea of being guided by a star would have seemed quite normal.   

The Persian clergy were known to be adept at interpreting astronomical signs.  The magi were led by their observation of the stars to travel across the Arabian Peninsula from Persia to Judea.  They found the one whom they sought, namely, a newborn King, the sort of person whose birth would be portended by uncommon sights in the heavens. (Mt 2:11)  Then, curiously, they returned home. (Mt 2:12) 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the magi after their visit to the manger in Bethlehem? Why did they travel so far only to return home again so quickly?  Unlike those present at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, the magi never had the opportunity to hear Jesus’ teaching.  Unless the magi were getting extra membership points from their favorite camel rental agency, their short visit over long distance doesn’t make much sense. 

Perhaps, the visit of the magi had a purpose beyond the obvious aspects of the story.  Perhaps, the story isn’t about the opportunity the magi had to witness Jesus’ divine mission and teaching.  Perhaps, the story is about the magi’s opportunity to be witnesses to Jesus.  

I suggest that the magi’s arduous round-trip journey was an action similar to the actions of those youngsters in Tarpon Springs who dive for the Cross in cold water during cold weather. The Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs is a public demonstration of faith, not for the purpose of denigrating other people’s lives and choices, but for the purpose of giving witness to God’s power. In a like manner, the magi did not travel to Judea to challenge Herod’s political longevity, but to give testimony about Jesus’ identity. Matthew’s Gospel presents them as an example to imitate. 

The most common reactions on the part of churchgoers to those who challenge the legitimacy of organized religion are disapproval and worry: disapproval when the challenge comes from a stranger and worry when the challenge comes from a relative or friend. The example of the magi offers a response that is both faithful and credible. 

The magi did not have the opportunity to witness Jesus’ teaching and miracles. They did, however, use the opportunity to give witness to the promise and hope expressed in Jesus’ birth. 

If you would like to give a compelling response to those who question religion and religious belief, remember the example of the magi. They gave public witness to the truth they learned; then, they returned home confident that they had acted with integrity and charity. If you worry that the simple witness of your faith might be insufficient, remember the example of the magi. They are still honored today.