The visit of the Magi, or the three kings, is a truly great celebration of the Christmas season, but also one of the most mysterious as well. Who are these visitors and why do they bring such odd gifts to our young savior?

St. Matthew in his Gospel refers to these visitors as magi, a caste of astrologers from Persia. Even though we refer to them as kings, they more likely were philosophers and were traditionally thought to represent the three known continents of the world at the time - Europe, Asia, and Africa. Although we have named them Capser, Balthasar, and Melchior, those names were only given in the Middle Ages; we actually are not sure of their origins.

As far as their gifts, St. Odilo of Cluny (962-1049 AD) offers insight by telling us: “To offer gold is to proclaim Christ’s kingship, to offer incense is to adore his Godhead, and to offer myrrh is to acknowledge his mortality.” The Magi thus reveal that Christ is the messiah who has come to save all people. He is truly a light to the nations, Jew and Gentile, and the one who offers us the possibility of redemption.

As we prepare to conclude our celebration of the Christmas season, may the light of Christ illumine our hearts, and may we search for Christ’s presence in our lives as diligently as the Magi.

Second Saturday Supper: This coming Saturday, we will have our Second Saturday Supper as a Polish Night in the Family Life Center at St. Thomas More Church. The evening begins with the 4:00 p.m. Mass and continues with a delightful dinner and Polka band. I hope to see you all there.