By Bishop Durrell Watkins, D.Min.

In the western Christian tradition January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany. 

Epiphany calls to mind Magi from Persia using their astrological arts to discern that something cosmically important was happening in Bethlehem. So, these magi, Zoroastrian priests (not kings), traveled a long way to investigate. They encountered the vassal King of Judea, disclosed they were looking for a blessed child with a big future, and the king asked them to bring back word when they found him. The king said he wanted to honor this heavenly heralded child, but really, he had dastardly plans in mind for him. 

The magi found the child and his family, gave them gifts and they soon after had a vision about the king’s nefarious plan. They warned the Holy Family to leave the area, and they did, becoming refugees in Egypt. 

This well-known and treasured tale shows us people of different faith traditions working together (Jewish, Zoroastrian), mingling of classes (priests and peasants), welcoming of strangers (the family receiving the foreign guests), generosity (the priests giving gifts to a family they didn’t know), and the concern God has for the vulnerable (the Holy Family is protected from imperial cruelty and become refugees in another country). 

Maybe the stars are still communicating, telling us to be kinder, more generous, and more concerned for those in the margins. Maybe that’s always been the point of the story.

Bishop Durrell Watkins, D.Min., is the senior minister of the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale.