Growing up, I heard the words “magi” and “wise men” used interchangeably. I did not honestly know what either meant. Magi sounded like magician and the carols we sang about them always had an air of mystery. Logically I assumed these guys were smart magicians who also apparently dressed like ancient rockstars. In reality, they were respected scholars who looked to the stars for answers and insight.
I can’t say I know a ton of true scholars, but I had the pleasure of studying under one in college. My professor is a theological genius. He often was late to class because he got lost in the joy of study and was busy writing his newest book for Zondervan. You could also spot him easily by being the only guy on campus donning socks and sandals with his suit. The man is a legend.
At the time, I was trying desperately to be a more learned human but found reading incredibly tedious. So, I decided to ask my beloved professor how he got started in his academic pursuits. His response was that during college, he picked up a seven-volume set of philosophy books for a little bit of light reading and he was hooked. I knew then I was not cut from the same cloth, however, after talking to him I did resonate with the fact that scholars are curious.
It was curious scholars who were among the first to seek the miracle of Christ’s coming. They had spent their whole lives looking up. Searching. Longing. Hoping. Waiting for answers to appear in the stars. And then, something incredible happened… a star appeared, and their curiosity led them to meet God incarnate. Have you ever thought how strange it is that God called a bunch of foreign nerds, who did not possess faith in Him and were not even a part of His chosen people, to be party guests for the Advent of Christ. God orchestrated a star so magnificent that it caused learned, important scholars to take a long, arduous trip to seek true Light! Hope came into the darkness.
Isaiah prophesied long before that, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2 ESV). These magi stayed curious, and they kept looking up. And as they dwelt in a land of darkness, a light shone that answered all the questions. The searching and longing and hoping was over. They had hope, they did not just know about hope. The answer to all their questions was a Child who they were ready to worship the moment they laid eyes on Him.
Can we take a page from these colorful scholars of old? Stay curious. Keep looking up! All of our questions and longings and hopes and desires find their answer in the Light of Jesus Christ.