During the long nights of their journey, the Magi were being prepared by grace to be with Jesus.
Newsroom (08/01/2023 8:32 AM, Gaudium Press) While the Holy Family was returning to Bethlehem after the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, many miles away from Judea a caravan of illustrious figures was also traveling towards the City of David.
Coming from the far East, some Magi, with their imposing retinue, followed a mysterious star, whose appearance they saw on a dark night in the open sky. They had come in search of the King of the Jews who had been born and would bring salvation to the whole world (cf. Mt 2:1-2).
A cold welcome in the Holy City
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they asked innocently where the King who had just been born was. Contrary to what one might think, Herod and all Jerusalem were disturbed by the news spread by this prestigious and noble caravan (cf. Mt 2:3).
Public opinion in the capital reacted with distrust and suspicion: how could the Saviour have been born without their knowing it? For the Magi, the question was no less: should not the people chosen by God to receive Him and bring Him into the world rejoice at the advent of the Messiah?
In order to disguise his hatred, Herod summoned the Magi in secret to obtain detailed information about the appearance of the star (cf. Mt 2:7). Unaware of his evil intentions, they enthusiastically told him the prophecies they knew about the future King and how His star had risen in the firmament, a clear sign that the predictions were about to be fulfilled.
Having consulted the chief priests and the scribes, Herod sent them to Bethlehem, the city announced by Micah as the cradle of the Messiah (cf. Mic 5:1). He even asked them to return to him to give him precise indications about the Child, because, as he said, he also wanted to adore Him (cf. Mt 2:8)…
Surprised by the cold welcome of the people of Jerusalem, the Kings set out for the City of David with some perplexity. At the beginning of their journey, however, they again saw the star that had shone in the East. Their hearts were filled with deep joy: it was not a lie, it was there to guide them!
In a poor dwelling, the most sublime gala in History shines
It was a beautiful night that seemed to foreshadow one of the greatest dawns in history. The Magi noticed that the bright star was advancing towards a region south of Bethlehem. They followed it until, in the middle of a meadow, they came upon a poor but dignified farm.
It was in reality an Angel of the Lord who, in the form of a light, led them to the house where the Holy Family was staying. Thus, travelling from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on a cold, starry night, they easily discovered the discrete place that sheltered the Child.
Moved by grace, the Magi descended from their camels and greeted St. Joseph, who was waiting for them at the entrance, with the deference due to the most worthy of princes. They asked his permission to honourably make their entry into the dwelling.
When he had consented, they put on sumptuous robes over sumptuous robe, the best they possessed; spread carpets of the most beautiful colours and shapes; lit censers, and arranged a solemn procession. “When they entered the house, they found the Child with Mary His Mother. Prostrating themselves before Him, they adored Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mt 2:11).
The pious attitude of the Magi is a clear indication of the faith and righteousness that moved them. They arrived in Bethlehem, after long journeys under the burning sun of the Near East, in search of the most glorious King of all time, and they found Him in a poor dwelling. However, at no time do they experience the slightest indication of disappointment.
On the contrary, they entered the house with all solemnity and adored that frail Child who, nevertheless, let the splendour of divinity be seen in His features and in His eyes. That night shone the most sublime gala in all history, never surpassed by the exquisite Christian courts that would flourish later.
A baby-God, all-powerful!
The Magi remained for some time bent over, touching the ground with their foreheads, and filled with reverential awe. Our Lady greeted them with such kindness and gentleness that they drew near to Her and the Child, filled with wonder, joy and fervour. This was the incomparable reward for their fidelity. An interior grace pervaded their hearts and showed them that that little One was God – what a paradox! A baby-God, all-powerful!
With eyes bathed in tears, going beyond that infantile body, in spirit they came into contact with the Word Himself. And to complete the scene, next to Him were Mary and Joseph, as if transfigured, like two seraphim spreading their wings over that magical scene.
The hearts of the Magi had been worked by grace from the moment they kept vigil awaiting the appearance of the star. Above all, at the entreaties of the Holy Family, a prophetic and supernatural sense was communicated to them, which prepared them, during the long nights of their journey, to be with Jesus.
The Holy Spirit presented to those souls, docile to His voice, the vision of a new ideal, made up of detachment, of a spirit of poverty and gentleness, contrary to the worldly mentality of ancient times, which despised poverty as a sign of inferiority. Thus predisposed, when they encountered simplicity they manifested their exuberant, spontaneous and radiant adoration. The faith that did not burn in Jerusalem, where Herod and the Jews lay in the darkness of selfishness and sin, shone brightly in them.
After a few days of blessed conviviality, the Magi returned to their lands with their hearts filled with intense, luminous and noble joy. However, in view of the envy of the wicked, an Angel of the Lord warned them in a dream to return without passing through Jerusalem (cf. Mt 2:12).
The Magi readily obeyed the voice of the Angel, for they had already discerned in their short acquaintance with Herod his deceitful and tyrannical spirit, capable of every violence to preserve a throne that he had unjustly conquered.
The departure of the Magi closes a chapter in the life of the Holy Family, made up of joy at the birth of the Child and of the most varied manifestations of reverence and adoration towards Him.
Msgr. João Clá Dias
Compiled by Sandra Chisholm
