Grace Curtis
As the Christmas season continues, we arrive to the celebration of the Epiphany. Talk about a party! As a reminder, three kings from a foreign land traditionally named Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar follow a star to pay homage to little baby Jesus. They came bearing gifts of both earthy and symbolic significance: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. These gifts are very fitting due to Jesus’ complete humanity and divinity as well as looking forward to His sacrifice on the cross. A common misconception about this event is that the magi were at Jesus’ birth; in truth, they travelled far only after learning Christ was born. Once they arrived, these three grown men of high stature humbled themselves in adoration of a simple low-class child. Why was would they do such a thing? The answer is simple. The magi could see past Jesus as a beautiful little baby and understand Him as the Savior.
There are many aspects of this story that are fascinating and apply to our lives directly. Firstly, the amount of risk the magi took in following the star was amazing. Think about it! They were going by ancient prophecies and complete chance that the star was to lead them to Jesus. They were unfamiliar with the area and it would take many resources and time to make the journey. Their uncertainty was replaced with joy and faith. They were so overjoyed that they even had to stop at Herod’s to express their excitement so the whole land would know. Secondly, they did not come empty-handed. They brought expensive and meaningful gifts to give to Jesus. This means two things: they wanted to give a beautiful gift that would require sacrifice to give and pondered in their hearts something important that would be perfect for Jesus. To add to this amazing series of events, the magi humbled themselves in front of everyone in adoration of the infant Jesus. They were so amazed that their Savior had come that did not have eyes for anything but Him. They must have been a powerful witness to Mary and Joseph as well as the many people who gathered to see if the rumors of a Messiah were true. They left as changed men empowered with the knowledge that they are saved and loved by God. These points about the Epiphany relate how we are called to react when coming into intimate encounters with Christ, specifically in adoration.
Awesome Steps to Adoration based on the Magi:
Another beautiful thing about our faith is the ages of tradition. People have fallen in humble adoration before Jesus like the magi ever since the formation of our church. Christ continues to call you to him in the Eucharist and waits for you in the tabernacle. When you come to Him with a loving and open heart like the magi, you won’t help but fall in adoring love.
Your Sister in Christ
O Come All Ye Faithful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1wHyMR_SCA
This song perfectly encompasses everything I hope you learned from this blog. Just come and adore Him, Christ the Lord.
You Are My Vision by Rend Collective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzcn8bx0rqQ
This is my current adoration jam. The part that inspired my during this blog was “I don't want riches or a man's empty praise / You're my inheritance, now and always / You and You only, the first in my heart / High king of heaven, my treasure You are”.
You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9cD6DrCU2c
If you feel any doubts or fears about coming to Jesus in adoration, listen to this song. Christ absolutely longs for your heart. This song is a perfect upbeat groove to remind yourself that.
Today’s Gospel: Matthew 2: 1 - 12
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.
There are many aspects of this story that are fascinating and apply to our lives directly. Firstly, the amount of risk the magi took in following the star was amazing. Think about it! They were going by ancient prophecies and complete chance that the star was to lead them to Jesus. They were unfamiliar with the area and it would take many resources and time to make the journey. Their uncertainty was replaced with joy and faith. They were so overjoyed that they even had to stop at Herod’s to express their excitement so the whole land would know. Secondly, they did not come empty-handed. They brought expensive and meaningful gifts to give to Jesus. This means two things: they wanted to give a beautiful gift that would require sacrifice to give and pondered in their hearts something important that would be perfect for Jesus. To add to this amazing series of events, the magi humbled themselves in front of everyone in adoration of the infant Jesus. They were so amazed that their Savior had come that did not have eyes for anything but Him. They must have been a powerful witness to Mary and Joseph as well as the many people who gathered to see if the rumors of a Messiah were true. They left as changed men empowered with the knowledge that they are saved and loved by God. These points about the Epiphany relate how we are called to react when coming into intimate encounters with Christ, specifically in adoration.
Awesome Steps to Adoration based on the Magi:
- Take a leap of faith and go to Adoration. Yes, it does take time and resources out of your day, but you are doing it in order spend a moment with the One who is totally enamored with your heart. Even if you are feeling doubtful towards your faith, taking the time in the presence of Christ will eventually turn your heart towards Him in unwavering love and peace.
- Offer yourself as a gift to Jesus. The magi took the time to sacrifice a meaningful gift for Jesus. Nothing in the whole universe is more desirable to Jesus than the gift of YOU. Allowing yourself to be open to Jesus in your heart and life is the gift that keeps on giving… you will be surprised at the results!
- Humble yourself in Adoration. Pride is one of the biggest blocks between you and Jesus. Acknowledging who you are and your lowliness amplifies to you Jesus’ greatness and divinity. It makes the mystery of our faith all the more exciting and beautiful. Actually, instead of you feeling bad about being humble you will feel affirmed in your worth by seeing yourself in Jesus’ eyes.
- Be a witness and change the world. You cannot spend time in honest prayer and not be changed by Jesus. The worst thing you could do is have a changed heart and not share it with the world. Just by living in Christ’s light you are a witness to others to His love. You never know who you could lead to Jesus by sharing how He’s changed your life!
Another beautiful thing about our faith is the ages of tradition. People have fallen in humble adoration before Jesus like the magi ever since the formation of our church. Christ continues to call you to him in the Eucharist and waits for you in the tabernacle. When you come to Him with a loving and open heart like the magi, you won’t help but fall in adoring love.
Your Sister in Christ
O Come All Ye Faithful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1wHyMR_SCA
This song perfectly encompasses everything I hope you learned from this blog. Just come and adore Him, Christ the Lord.
You Are My Vision by Rend Collective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzcn8bx0rqQ
This is my current adoration jam. The part that inspired my during this blog was “I don't want riches or a man's empty praise / You're my inheritance, now and always / You and You only, the first in my heart / High king of heaven, my treasure You are”.
You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9cD6DrCU2c
If you feel any doubts or fears about coming to Jesus in adoration, listen to this song. Christ absolutely longs for your heart. This song is a perfect upbeat groove to remind yourself that.
Today’s Gospel: Matthew 2: 1 - 12
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.