Following the Star Across Cultures

I love the Feast of the Epiphany for many reasons, but primarily because it’s when people from other nations are woven into the Jesus story.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.’”
—Matthew 2:1-2, CEB

This question by the magi reveals a type of devotion and readiness to pay homage to someone who is a mystery to them. They have no idea what this new king looks like or even his name. All they have is the star moving in the sky. Herod is also not completely in the know and requests that they make a careful search, then report back to him, which they will not do

”When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”    
—Matthew 2:9-11, CEB

The Travels of Marco Polo (1254-1324) references the wiseman’s gifts. Marco Polo writes, ‘If he takes gold, he is an earthly king; if frankincense, a god; if myrrh, a healer.’ Joseph and Mary would need these precious goods for the urgent and necessary escape to Egypt.

When the magi had departed, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon search for the child in order to kill him.” Joseph got up and, during the night, took the child and his mother to Egypt.
—Matthew 2:12-13, CEB

If you are curious, the Coptic Orthodox Church has many traditions regarding the Holy Family and their time in Egypt. Further study of these events can be found at NASSCAL, the North American Society for the Study of Christian Apocryphal Literature. Patriarch of Alexandria, Theophilus (385-412), shares his account in “The Vision of Theophilus.”He describes a vision in which Mary appears to tell him about her parents and her flight to Egypt with Joseph, Jesus, and her nurse, Salome. 

It is fitting that the feast in which Gentiles are welcomed into the Jesus Story is a feast that is celebrated in cultures all around the world. Our neighboring country of Mexico observes El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos with a dessert known as the Rosca de Reyes or King’s Cake. It is a sweet bread baked in a circle and decorated with red, yellow, and green candied fruits to mirror a crown. Inside is hidden a plastic baby Jesus figurine, which brings joy and blessing to the person who finds it in their slice. The person who receives this blessing is encouraged to bring tamales on February 2, the Feast of Candlemas, when priests bless candles representing Jesus as the Light of the World and his presentation in the Temple.

In Slovakia, the Marching of the Magi or Marching with a Star is a cultural favorite. This procession of angels, shepherds, and animals begins with three boys, dressed in long white shirts with crowns on their heads, representing the wisemen. This gathering of holiday well-wishers travels from house to house performing an Epiphany play and singing koledy (Christmas carols). The closing of the event is marked by the priest chalking the door—writing the initials C. M. B. and the new year in chalk. These initials stand for the traditional names of the three kings,  Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, or perhaps the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means “May Christ bless this house.”

In Ireland, the end of the Christmas holidays and the Epiphany on January 6^th is known as Nollaig na mBan in Irish or Women’s Little Christmas. Women gather together and are given time off from cooking, cleaning, and all the extra household chores typically occurring during the holiday season. 

In Sweden, January 6 is a public holiday!

If Mary and Joseph were alive today and asked to comment on the Feast of the Epiphany—the appearing or manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles—I am sure they would have plenty to say. I would certainly enjoy hearing their ardent descriptions of the travelers’ clothing, their accents, their benevolence, and their joy.