December 2007

The Reverend Philip Banks writes:

Led by a star

The story of the coming of the Magi – the kings or wise men – to Bethlehem has fascinated artists and people of faith down the generations, with its rich contrasts and symbolism. There is so much to notice in their story, traditionally celebrated after Christmas at Epiphany: remarkable characters from ‘the East’ who represented all of us from around the world who want to know Jesus Christ; people who trusted in seeing beyond the immediate, to recognise the Divine; above all a story of human wickedness alongside the loving goodness of God. 

Christian tradition soon elaborated their story in Matthew’s gospel: since they brought three gifts, they were quickly assumed to be three in number (though Matthew does not say this), and to represent the three known continents of the world – Asia, Europe and Africa (hence painters often depict one of them as black). Their names too – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar – are a later addition.

St Matthew simply calls them “Magi” – that is to say, learned astronomers found in ancient Persia. Tradition soon ‘upgraded’ them to be kings, a wonderful gift for artists who could then supply them with crowns and exotic clothing, and provide them with camels for their transport. 

This carving on a pillar of the 12^th-century Cistercian Cathedral of Autun in Burgundy (built by the same order as Coggeshall’s own Abbey), shows them having their dream, asleep in their crowns, and with the angel’s magnificent skirt serving as a bedspread, warning them not to go back to Herod, but to return home by a different route. From early times Christians put particular significance into each of the three gifts – traditionally gold symbolising the kingship of Christ, frankincense his divinity and the myrrh pointing to his death.

But I find more helpful, in our modern world, an interpretation endorsed by St Bernard of Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian order. Despite being blessed with a mystical prayer life, his was a far more down-to-earth explanation of the gifts: the gold was to support the Holy Family on their journey; the incense was to freshen up the air in a stinking stable; and the myrrh was to deliver the new-born Christ-child from any worms that may have infested his intestines.

As we prepare, in this season of Advent, for the celebration of Christmas, I think this interpretation of the three gifts can help us: the gold should encourage us to reflect on our journey of life, and what ‘value’ we bring to the world with our deeds and words. And how are we ‘incense’ in the word? What are we doing to ‘freshen up’ a world of darkness, poverty and injustice with our actions? And the myrrh – what are we doing to try to recognise, and turn away from our own sinfulness (the ‘worms of stable’) which separate us from one another and from God?

The Magi were led by the light of a star to the Christ-child. This Christmas may we too be led to a deeper knowledge of Jesus, bringing our metaphorical gifts of ‘gold, incense and myrrh’ and lead lives, guided by his light, of faith, hope and love.

"The secret of Christmas: your own heart is the manger in which the birth of Christ takes place." - Puran Bair - image from www.appliedmeditation.org

"The secret of Christmas: your own heart is the manger in which the birth of Christ takes place."