We’ve been considering a 3rd century text called the ‘Revelation of the Magi’ that purports to tell the story of the Magi in the Christmas story. Last week we saw that Adam’s son Seth founded something like an ‘Order of the Magi’, and that generations of Magi in this Order have been keeping watch with a monthly ceremony in their “Cave of Treasures”, waiting for the coming of a star that would signify the birth of God in human form.
One day the promised star appears in the heavens, so bright that the sun becomes as faint as the moon by comparison. The star descends and enters the Cave of Treasures, bidding the Magi to come inside. Then the star transforms into a small, luminous human, and says he is the Son of God. The star-child instructs the Magi to follow it to Jerusalem so that they may witness its birth and participate in the salvation God has planned for the entire world. The Magi descend from the mountain, and in the course of discussing what they have just seen, they realize that each of them saw the star-child in a different form, with each vision representing a different time in the life of Christ!
They prepare a caravan and supplies for the lengthy journey, but the star removes any and all obstacles in their path, leveling valleys and mountains, making rivers passable on foot, and protecting the Magi from wild animals. The star’s light also relieves the Magi of their fatigue and continually refills their food supplies. For the Magi, this vast journey from the eastern edge of the world to the land of Judea seems to have transpired in the blink of an eye.
The star leads the Magi to Jerusalem. Because the star is invisible to the inhabitants — only the Magi can see it — they presume the Magi must be astrologers of some kind since they keep looking up to the heavens. Their dialog with Herod is just like what is recounted in the Gospel of Matthew (Magi: “Where is the child?” Court advisors: “In Bethlehem”. Herod: “When you find him, come back and tell me.”)
The star continues to lead them, and once again enters a cave and beckons the Magi inside. Here the star transforms into a luminous, talking infant, whose “birth” is accompanied by unseen angels singing his praises. In a lengthy speech, the infant tells the Magi that their ancient mysteries have at last been fulfilled and commissions them to become witnesses to him and his Gospel for the people of their homeland.
The Magi then begin their journey home. More about that next week!