The Journey of the Magi
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
James Tissot (1836–1902) was a French painter celebrated for his intricate and evocative depictions of Biblical scenes. Originally known for painting fashionable Parisian society, Tissot underwent a profound spiritual awakening in the 1880s, dedicating the latter part of his life to illustrating the Bible with painstaking historical detail and deep reverence. His works reflect an almost cinematic ability to bring Scripture to life.
In The Journey of the Magi, Tissot portrays the Wise Men traveling through a stark desert landscape. The painting captures the grit of their pilgrimage, emphasizing the physicality and determination of their journey. Gone are the fanciful robes and crowns of tradition; instead, we see weary travelers, their garments dusty and their faces weathered. Above them looms the vast sky, pierced by the guiding star—a symbol of divine direction breaking into the mundane world.
This realism invites us to consider the journey of the Magi as a human struggle filled with hope and perseverance. Their journey mirrors our own, as we follow the light of Christ through life's challenges and uncertainties. In the words of Jeremiah: “the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him” (Jeremiah 31:11). Like the Magi, we are invited to trust in the Lord’s guidance as He leads us toward redemption and joy.
"They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord.”
– Jeremiah 31:12
Second Sunday after Christmas
Texts for this Week
Prayer
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scriptures
Jeremiah 31:7–14
Psalm 84
Ephesians 1:3–14
Matthew 2:1–12
The Three Kings
Peter Cornelius crafted The Three Kings as a choral piece of lyrical beauty and harmonic richness. The song draws us into the Epiphany narrative, intertwining the regal dignity of the Magi with the tenderness of their adoration of Christ. Cornelius overlays the solo melody of the Wise Men’s song with a choral arrangement of the chorale "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star," creating a layered musical texture that reflects the multilayered nature of the Epiphany story.
Cornelius’ composition captures the joy and mystery of this sacred moment. The music swells with the awe of standing before the Christ child, yet it humbly bows in recognition of the grace that brought us there. As we listen, we are reminded that the journey to find Christ is not only one of following a star but of listening for the harmonies of heaven breaking into our lives.
"They opened their treasures, and they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
