In the Christian world, we reflect today on the story of the three kings’ visit to the infant Jesus. The story offers many truths that are relevant always and everywhere, regardless of one’s religious traditions. Thoughtfully and prayerfully read the narrative below:
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Of all the many themes and truths of this story, I will focus on one that I think has a great deal of relevance for all of us: the three magi embarked on a journey. We too are on a journey; we are all going somewhere. Nothing stays the same, and we don’t stay the same. We are all going to die. Some go kicking and screaming into the journey; others journey blindly, driven by unconscious impulses. Some follow maps that are meant for others, and some allow the ego, with all of its fears and desires, to dictate the path.
The magi in the story chose their map in a very different way: they were stargazers who looked to the heavens for their directions. Translation: they wanted their journey to be guided by the highest truth, beauty, and good. They sought their guidance from the transcendental source, God. They understood that life’s ultimate destination had nothing to do with fame or fortune, but with the realization of Christ Consciousness.
We live in very confusing and challenging times. Because things can go south very easily, our margin of error is very thin. We need to be guided by the highest wisdom and always motivated by the purest love. We need to be stargazers. The good news is that stargazing will lead us to the manger of Christ Consciousness, and like the magi, we will prostrate ourselves in worship of the Christ of history and the Christ Consciousness percolating within us. In this context, “worship” refers to the experience of soul communion, that is, communion with God’s presence within creation and within ourselves. In writing of the magi, Yogananda tells us, “On a transcendent level of consciousness there was between the three magi and Jesus a spiritual exchange of soul-communion concerning the destiny of Jesus, which would be a great universal benefit to man – as Jesus would be one of God’s supreme message-bearers of Truth.”
Divine Mother,
May I say yes
To this journey
And follow the stars
To find my way.
