Each Christmas season I read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Gospel of Matthew (see chap. 2:1–11). While reading it again last year, I realized that I didn’t have a very clear understanding of the significance of the Magi. As a student of Christian Science, I am accustomed to looking beyond the surface for the deeper, spiritual meaning of Scripture, but because of my own busyness, I dismissed my nagging curiosity. As it turned out, a seemingly unrelated event was to gently lead me to the insight I was looking for.
In my capacity as artistic director of a community arts center, attendance at and hosting of events are routine tasks. There are, however, some activities that do not require my presence. One such event, a theater workshop for children in December, culminates in a public performance with a Christmas theme. Even though I was not the host of this particular event last year, my presence was requested. I went reluctantly, thinking I had better ways to occupy two hours, especially since I didn’t have any children in the cast.
Part of the script, which was a compilation of the customs of Christmas, was the story of the wise men and their gifts. One young performer related the significance of the gifts—gold, representing royalty or government; frankincense, symbolizing the priesthood or religious hierarchy; and myrrh, the bitterest of herbs, symbolizing medicine, so we were told. Suddenly, a whole new light, as bright as the reflection from the foil star above that boy’s head, shone on the story of those gift bearers and I thought, “Out of the mouth of babes . . . !”
