January 6th marked Epiphany, the day that Christians around the world remember the Magi (or wisemen) who followed a star to find God’s love revealed in the flesh and blood of a little boy named Jesus. (The story can be found in Matthew 2:1-12.)
The following poem is by one of my favorite writers, Jan Richardson, who is also an artist and United Methodist minister. She found herself plunged into darkness after losing her husband and artistic collaborator very unexpectedly after a brief illness. Much of her writing has to do with the healing she experienced as others reflected the light of Christ in the love and compassion they showed her throughout her most difficult days.
Blessing of the Magi
by Jan Richardson
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road” (Matthew 2:12).
There is no reversing this road.
The path that bore you here
goes in one direction only,
every step drawing you down a way
by which you will not return.
You thought arrival was everything,
that your entire journey ended with kneeling
in the place you had spent all to find.
When you laid down your gift,
release came with such ease,
your treasure tumbling from your hands
in awe and benediction.
Now the knowledge of your leaving
comes like a stone laid over your heart,
the familiar path closed
and not even the solace of a star
to guide your way.
You will set out in fear.
You will set out in dream.
But you will set out by that other road
that lies in shadow and in dark.
We cannot show you what route
will take you home;
that way is yours and will be found
in the walking.
But we tell you, you will wonder
at how the light you thought you had left behind
goes with you,
spilling from your empty hands,
shimmering beneath your homeward feet,
illuminating the road
with every step you take.
From Circle of Grace
Copyright © 2015 by Jan Richardson
In this season of Epiphany we give you thanks, O God, for the Light you have given us in your Son, Jesus. When we cannot see the way ahead, illuminate our path. And when darkness obscures the path for others, use us to carry the Christ light for them. Amen.