Every Christmas we ready ourselves for the birth of our Lord with lights, lights, and more lights. \u00a0We string lights on Christmas trees, wreaths, and nativity sets; we outline windows, rooftops and walkways. \u00a0We decorate our downtown trees and light poles with lights and some neighborhood yards are aglow with lighted reindeer, snowmen, and nativity scenes. \u00a0Our desire to celebrate Christmas with lights brings to mind the very first words God spoke in Creation \u201cLet there be light!\u201d (Gen. 1:3)<\/p>\n
![\"ThreeKings\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ThreeKings-143x190.png?resize=143%2C190\")
\u201cHis star.\u201d(Matt.2:2)<\/p><\/div>\n
As we continue to celebrate this Octave of Christmas and as Epiphany draws near, there is a deeper and more profound light to discover \u2013 it\u2019s the light discovered by the three kings. \u00a0Let us start with the very first Christmas light that was emitted by \u201cHis star.\u201d(Matt.2:2) \u00a0The prophecy says, \u201cI see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.\u201d Numbers 25:17<\/p>\n
All the Jewish scribes and scripture scholars of Israel missed this special light that was emanating from \u201cHis star.\u201d But not the three kings. \u00a0While Matthew 2:1 calls them, \u201cMagi from the East\u201d other prophetic scriptures refer to them as kings, \u201cRise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you\u2026Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shinning radiance\u2026Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.\u2019\u201d \u00a0(Isaiah 60:1-14) \u00a0In 2005 during World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI venerated the relics of Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar at the Cathedral of Cologne saying, \u201cIt was as though they had always been waiting for that star. \u00a0It was as if the journey had always been part of their destiny and was finally about to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as Joan of Arc was born to liberate France and Constantine was born to free Christians during the Roman persecution, the vocation of the three kings was to follow a star that would change their lives as prophesied in sacred scripture: \u201cMay the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts. \u00a0May all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him\u2026Long may he live, receiving the gold from Arabia.\u201d Psalm 72:10-15<\/p>\n
The burning light from this star burned in the souls of these men. \u00a0The Church Fathers St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom write in their sermons that the journey the three kings undertook lasted two years.<\/p>\n
They came from different countries and from the ends of the earth with one burning question in their hearts. \u00a0This question would persuade them to leave their kingdom, their treasure, and the comforts of their life. \u00a0This question would so consume them day and night that they were willing to endure, danger, difficulty, discomfort, and displacement from their very thrones. \u00a0The question is and was for all Christians, \u201cWhere is the new-born King of the Jews.\u201d (Matthew 2:2) Pope Benedict XVI says that for this reason they \u201cNever yielded to discouragement or the temptation to give up and go home. \u00a0Now that they were so close to their goal they had no other question than this.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"3WiseMen\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/3WiseMen-550x368.png?resize=550%2C368\")
<\/p>\n
As they neared the source of light, the star suddenly disappeared from their sight. \u00a0St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom also note the stars disappearance in their writings. \u00a0The life of the three kings is darkened. \u00a0There was no light to follow. \u00a0Did they give up and lose hope after being away from their homes for two years? \u00a0No, in their zeal they dared to speak with Herod, \u201cWe saw his star at his rising and have come to worship him.\u201d (Matthew 2:2) \u00a0History tells us that Herod not only killed all the children two years of age and younger trying to destroy Jesus but he even put his adult sons to death when they threatened his throne. \u00a0Therefore, these three kings, having lost sight of the star, risked everything in approaching Herod about the question smoldering in their hearts.<\/p>\n
God is always there when we are searching for him, but we must do our part by praying and discerning the signs in finding our true vocation via this special Christmas star that sheds light into our dark hearts. \u00a0Pope Benedict XVI says, \u201cWe must seek this star, we must follow it. \u00a0The ultimate goal of the journey can only be found through an encounter with Christ, an encounter which cannot take place without faith.\u201d \u00a0As soon as the three kings leave Herod\u2019s presence, the star reappears: \u201cAnd behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them… they were overjoyed at seeing the star.\u201d (Matt. 2:9-10)<\/p>\n
If they were overjoyed it was because earlier they had experienced doubts, reservations, and fears in their hearts at having lost sight of the star. \u00a0But they didn\u2019t give up. \u00a0They were obedient to the desire in their heart to seek the star. \u00a0Pope Benedict XVI says, \u201cThe Magi reach Bethlehem because they had obediently allowed themselves to be led by the star. \u00a0Learn to observe the signs with which God is calling and guiding us. \u00a0When we are conscious of being led by him, our heart experiences authentic and deep joy as well as a powerful desire to meet him and a persevering strength to follow him obediently.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"3KingsonCamel\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/3KingsonCamel-550x314.png?resize=550%2C314\")
<\/p>\n
After two years the three kings finally complete their journey and thus discover their true vocation as one of the first believers, worshippers and witnesses of Jesus. \u00a0\u201cThe star\u2026came and stopped over the place where the child was\u2026They prostrated themselves and worshipped \u00a0him. \u00a0Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.\u201d (Matt. 2:9-12) St. Peter Chrysologus describes their experience this way, \u201cThe magi are filled with awe by what they see; heaven on earth and earth in heaven; man in God and God in man; they see enclosed in a tiny body the One whom the entire world cannot contain.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"3WiseMenAdoration\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/3WiseMenAdoration-468x700.png?resize=468%2C700\")
<\/p>\n
At the end of the journey, they no longer needed the star to return home since they now have the true light of Jesus in their hearts lighting their way. \u00a0Jesus himself had become for them, \u201c\u2026the bright morning Star.\u201d (Rev. 22:16). \u00a0They can now go peacefully via another route. \u00a0The practical reason for taking a different route was to flee Herod; but the spiritual reason is once we encounter Jesus, our lives change and we can no longer pursue the same path we were traveling. \u00a0Moreover, these kings had received, a much greater treasure than the ones they brought, \u201cThe morning star that rises in your hearts.\u201d (2 Pet. 1:20) \u00a0We too need to find our true vocation in life and preserve that light. We too must leave our old route of sin and never return the same way we came so that we can nourish and guard the new light of Christ that is in our hearts.<\/p>\n
During this Christmas Octave and as Epiphany draws closer, let us take time to look at all the Christmas lights and stars all around you. \u00a0Let us ask Jesus for the special light of grace to discover \u201cthe newborn King\u201d truly present in what appears to be bread but is really the \u201cKing of kings and Lord of lords\u201d. (Rev. 19:16) \u00a0Let us ask Him to reveal our vocation as His believers, worshippers, and witnesses of His Eucharistic Presence. \u00a0And once having found Him, let us offer him the \u201cGold of your freedom, the incense of your ardent prayer, and myrrh of your most profound affection.\u201d (St. Pope John Paul II)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every Christmas we ready ourselves for the birth of our Lord with lights, lights, and more lights. \u00a0We string lights on Christmas trees, wreaths, and nativity sets; we outline windows, rooftops and walkways. \u00a0We decorate our downtown trees and light poles with lights and some neighborhood yards are aglow with lighted reindeer, snowmen, and nativity… [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[671],"tags":[2631,383,1293,330,491,682,2140],"class_list":["post-74929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-column","tag-adoration-of-the-magi","tag-christmas","tag-epiphany","tag-jesus","tag-scripture","tag-season","tag-three-wise-men","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":43280,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2014\/01\/sunday-says-podcast-january-5-2014-mass-readings-reflections\/","url_meta":{"origin":74929,"position":0},"title":"Sunday Says Podcast \u2013 January 5, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections","author":"Crist\u00f3bal Almanza Herrera","date":"January 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"[powerpress] Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Lectionary: 20 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Merry Christmas! It\u2019s been a beautiful season of Christmas so far. Now we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Reading 1 IS 60:1-6 In this week\u2019s first reading from Isaiah, we see\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sunday Says"","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Says","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/podcast\/sundaysays\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sunday Says Podcast","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/SundaySaysPodcast-logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":195193,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2016\/01\/sunday-says-january-3-2015-mass-readings-and-reflection\/","url_meta":{"origin":74929,"position":1},"title":"Sunday Says January 3, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection","author":"Crist\u00f3bal Almanza Herrera","date":"January 3, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"[powerpress] Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Lectionary: 20 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Merry Christmas! It\u2019s been a beautiful season of Christmas so far. Now we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord a few days early from the traditional date on the 6th. Reading 1\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sunday Says"","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Says","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/podcast\/sundaysays\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sunday Says Podcast","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/SundaySaysPodcast-logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8335,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2011\/12\/the-meanings-behind-all-our-christmas-decorations\/","url_meta":{"origin":74929,"position":2},"title":"The Meanings Behind All Our Christmas Decorations","author":"Jason Elizondo","date":"December 16, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"I originally posted this last year over at my Catholic Warthog blog but thought it would be a good idea to cross post it here at ACNM. I know that we are still in Advent but the rest of the world is already primed and decked out for Christmas. With\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.catholicwarthog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Christmas-Tree-Nature1024-226431-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42944,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2013\/12\/kucios-christmas-eve-lithuania\/","url_meta":{"origin":74929,"position":3},"title":"K\u016b\u010dios – A Christmas Eve in Lithuania","author":"Julia Motekaitis","date":"December 19, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0This month at Austin Catholic New Media, the contributors are taking turns sharing some of their family Christmas traditions. \u00a0While I have some very special ones from my own family of origin, today I'd like to share just a few of the beautiful customs I have experienced\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Seneles-nativity.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":31837,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2013\/01\/epiphany-traditions\/","url_meta":{"origin":74929,"position":4},"title":"Epiphany Traditions","author":"Brandon Kraft","date":"January 7, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday was the Solemnity of the\u00a0Epiphany, both the traditional date of January 6th and more recent \"transferred date\" of the Sunday between January 2nd and 8th, which is one of the marks used to end the traditional Christmas season. Growing up, all of our family traditions revolved around Christmas Day\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Epiphany Blessing on a doorway[photocredit: flickr\/stanbury","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/8354918090_7d0ee30c00_b-630x423.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/8354918090_7d0ee30c00_b-630x423.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/8354918090_7d0ee30c00_b-630x423.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":76216,"url":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2015\/01\/sunday-says-podcast-january-04-2015-mass-readings-reflections\/","url_meta":{"origin":74929,"position":5},"title":"Sunday Says Podcast \u2013 January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections","author":"Steve Scott","date":"January 3, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"[powerpress] Sunday Says Podcast \u2013 January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday January 04, 2015 Lectionary: 20 Feast of the Epiphany (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for January 4, 2015, the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord.\u00a0 Thank you for joining us as we familiarize\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ACNM"","block_context":{"text":"ACNM","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/category\/acnm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SundaySaysPodcast-logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/SundaySaysPodcast-logo-300x231.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74929"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74929\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"AdorationoftheMagi\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.austincnm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/AdorationoftheMagi-550x366.png?resize=550%2C366\")
<\/p>\n