When we pray with the Gospels, and listen with our hearts to the story of Jesus, it’s pretty clear that Simeon’s prophecy came true. Jesus was accepted by some and rejected by others. But the great surprise for the infant church was His acceptance by people who were not Jews. For them, this was God’s work.
In the story of the Magi, Heaven and Earth come together: Heaven in the form of a star and Earth in the first breaths of the Beloved Son of God. Those who ponder this text are left in no doubt that God is the author of the life of Jesus and through Him God speaks to all of humanity. As always, the rejection of Jesus is violent and evil. The news of his arrival causes fear in the hearts of those who have been faithfully unfaithful to their religious heritage. Jesus is a clear threat to their position and power. They have corrupted the faith they pledged to protect; when true faith arrives, they will be exposed.
The birth of the New King means only one thing to them – He must be killed. Herod has murder on his mind, but he is no match for God. He stands in the Gospel as an example of all those who say pious and respectable things but only have treachery in their hearts. In contrast to these idiots, the Wise Ones’ hearts are only filled with joy. When the star halts over the stable, Heaven and Earth are one. They are joined, symmetrical and balanced. And they have found the One who is the fulfilment of their life’s longing. The gifts they bring make it clear that they understand who they bow to adore. Gold, for his ordinary needs. Frankincense to honour his divinity. Myrrh for his saving death. What Herod tried to kill, the Wise Ones accept and worship.
This is truly a story which celebrates the manifestation of the divinity of Christ to the Gentiles. Herod and his allies take a back seat so that this may be clearly seen. The story then becomes an occasion for the giving a receiving of gifts. Christ Himself is the present. But now, Gift giving is the way that the invisible becomes visible. And at Christmas Time this is spiritual activity of the highest order. Why? Because it is our attempt to communicate our spirit to someone we care for, in such a way, that our spirit flows into them and they become stronger by our presence. When the gift symbolises a flow of Love, it is the perfect gift, no matter what is inside the wrapping paper. The gifts of the Wise Ones have always been seen as the perfect gifts. On the one hand it shows that they know who Jesus is, they are not fooled by outward trappings and they have truly discerned the inner identity and mission of the child. On the other hand, the gifts reveal the hearts of the ones who give them. The gifts are perfect because they reveal two hearts. The perfect gift is one that carries one heart to another.
One of my favourite stories is O’Henry’s ‘Gift of the Magi’. It is the story of Jim and Della. They are poor but each have a possession. Della has long, beautiful hair and Jim has the watch. As Christmas approaches, Della cuts her hair and sells it and buys Jim a platinum fob chain for his watch. When she gives it to him, he reveals that he has sold his watch to buy her a set of pure tortoise shell combs for her hair! They fall in the sofa laughing. O’Henry says, “Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the wisest”. Jim and Della are wise because although their gifts are now completely useless, they have done their job and carried them into each other’s hearts. The gift has strengthened their relationship, assuring them that they know and are known, love and are loved. Oh, to be so Wise!
