That being said, Christmas is above all else a time for remembrance. Just as we might distract ourselves from the ways of this world by watching a classic movie like "It's a Wonderful Life" or "White Christmas," we should immerse ourselves within what happened in Bethlehem so long ago, the "word that has come to pass which the Lord hath shown to us" (Luke 2:15). With the same sense of wonder with which we as children waited for Santa and his sleigh, let us gaze upon the infant King, the Godhead on Earth, the Word made flesh and dwelling among us.
When Jesus was born, "there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem" (Matthews 2:1). Arriving in the domain of Herod, these learned magi appeared before him and asked "Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to adore him (Matthew 2:2).
In a way, these magi were the earliest followers of Jesus. Unlike His first disciples, the magi did not know Him by word of mouth or by hearing him speak. When they found him, Christ was not yet old enough to talk and yet his Kingliness was both inherent and apparent. The magi knew him by His star.
These magi were likely skilled astronomers from Persia. In those times it was believed that when a new king was born his star would appear in the sky. Calling Him king of the Jews, perhaps the wise men were also familiar with the prophecy of Numbers 24:17 - "a star shall rise out of Jacob and a scepter shall spring up from Israel."
In the verbiage of our times, the magi would be considered scientists and academia. Their knowledge was so great that it was often mistaken for magic. These men were true seekers of the truth. They were no pseudo-scientists who would rather appear on TV than study the intricacies of the external world. Bill Nye, Neil De Grasse Tyson and their ilk are more apt to mock Christians and pursue progressive social agendas than pursue the truth. They are nothing like the magi.
Why did the wise men travel so far? Why did they traverse hundreds, maybe even thousands of miles just because of what they saw in the sky? We can ask much the same questions about the saints. Why did they live in die by a law contrary to that of the world? Why did they give up the things of this world and even more often than not their lives simply for a creed?
Both questions have the same answer. Because it is more than a star and more than a creed. The magi and the saints searched for the same thing: Jesus. Both came "to adore him." These wise men from the East were not looking for a merely political figure. Their gifts demonstrate this fact. Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh for a sacrificial lamb.
Finding the King and His star, the magi were "overjoyed." Despite all their earthly power and domain, despite their knowledge and studies that gave them powers beyond that of normal men, the wise men "prostrated themselves" at the feet of the child on Mary's lap. They worshiped the King born of a virgin. Human reason and power knelt before the Throne of the Incarnation.
The magi were truly "wise men." They searched for and found the promised heir of David, Jesus Christ of whose kingdom their is no end. But what can we learn from these searchers? Is there anything that we can take away from the actions of these men who lived two millennia before us?
We find ourselves in this season, in the same position as the wise men. We have been led into the foothills of Judea. The star is in the sky. But what are we going to do? The meaning of the star was no secret. Herod's scribes and chief priests were able to explain its significance to him easily enough. Why then was it only the wise men who came searching for Jesus when so many others could see the star in the sky? The shepherds came, yes, but only after an angelic host appeared in front of them, singing celestial hymns. The wise men did not need to see the angels. They believed.
We can see the star, but are we followers of it? The existence of God is as evident as the stars in the sky. There is no such thing as a true atheist. It is impossible. No human being can absolutely deny the existence of God. It is a truth that we cannot run from.
But faith is more than the Creed we say at every Mass. It is more than simply accepting the existence of God. Faith needs to be alive in order to function. It needs to be expressed through its sister virtues of love and hope. In a letter to the Emperor Gratian, St. Ambrose wrote "Faith, therefore, august Sovereign, must not be a mere matter of performance, for it is written, The zeal of your house has devoured me. Let us then with faithful spirit and devout mind call upon Jesus our Lord, let us believe that He is God." This Christmas season, let us be more than idle stargazers. Let us be followers of the star just as the wise men were. Let us be followers of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray for the same faith that led the magi to the scene of the Nativity when the Son of God, the Word, assumed our flesh so that He might die for our sins. Let us pray for the same willingness to subjugate the things of this world to the will and Majesty of God.
Unwrap those presents from beneath the tree. Celebrate with your family. Go to Mass on Christmas (and hopefully every Sunday and holy day of obligation). Above all else, be followers of God. Reject being lukewarm in the spirit, that tepid and tasteless condition that finds no favor with God. Be rather on fire with love of God. Let your love be something that consumes your soul. Let it be something that consumes your life. Be ye faithful unto death and always submitting to the will of God.
Deus Volt!
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