A Poem for Epiphany based on Matthew 2:1-12.

My New Year’s resolution this year, is to be like the Magi.

In our world today,
there are plenty of reasons why it would be easy to miss the light —
to miss the appearance of a guiding star in the sky —
to miss signs that point to Christ’s presence in the world.

The darkness around us can feel
dense and
overwhelming.

There is so much noise clamoring for our attention—
so much artificial light working hard to distract us. 

There is this collective unease about our future
that can either overwhelm our spirits,
or cause us to reach for things to numb that discomfort away.

In our world today,
there are plenty of reasons why it would be easy to miss the light.

So this year? —
as we step from what was 2021 into what will be 2022—
my resolution,
the longing of this heart of mine
is to be like the Magi.

On Epiphany, we give thanks for the coming of the light.
On Epiphany, we remember the Magi’s journey.
On Epiphany, a word that means “manifestation” or “revealing”,
we give thanks for the gift of Christ and what he made manifest,
what he revealed to us about our God
and the realm God sent Christ to usher in.

On Epiphany, we hear the Magi’s words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew —
“Where is the newborn King of the Jews?
We’ve seen his star in the east,
and we’ve come to honor him.”

I want to be like the Magi,
as I live out the days God will give me in 2022. 

I want to ask that question on the daily.

Where is the newborn King of the Jews?

Where would I find Jesus today?

Where have I encountered Christ’s presence,
as I have lived out these precious hours of life that have made up this day?

I want to be like the Magi.

I want to be watchful.

I want to quiet the noise enough,
sit in the darkness each morning before the sun rises,
looking for signs of the light.

I want to be careful not to live my days distracted.

I want to not let the unease I feel drown out hope’s possibilities.

I don’t want to bury my head in the sand,
nor do I want to be so overwhelmed by the darkness,
that I am unable to see,
that I fail to look for the light.

I want to be like the Magi.

When I see signs of Christ’s light appear in the dark sky of my days,
I want to follow it.

I want to be a light-chaser,
a light-tracker, 
a seeker of stars, 
of signs that illuminate where Christ dwells in this world. 

I want my feet to be guided by the light. 

I want the light of Epiphany’s stars to fill my eyes,
as the hope of God’s love made manifest fills my heart.

I want to be like the Magi.

I want to be joy filled —
despite the darkness,
despite what threatens,
despite the forces seeking to extinguish the light —
to destroy the love that was born into this world.

I want to stand in the glow that points to where Christ’s dwells
and have joy fill every nook and cranny of my being—
from the tips of my toes to the top of my head
I want there to be joy

I want there to be joy—
the joy that comes when you grasp the power of the light,
the joy that comes when you watch it fight off the darkness,
the joy that comes when you see what sacrificial love can do,
the joy that comes when life is born anew.

I want to be like the Magi.

I want to fall on my knees.

I want to honor,
to pay homage,
to worship—
Christ,
the Lord, 
love incarnate—
the God who sent him—
the Spirit who makes his presence real today.

I want to follow the light until I too,
come to a place where Christ dwells,
where Christ’s presence is made manifest, 

and then I want to fall to my knees,
in thanksgiving
in praise,
in joy,
in hope,
in love for my God 
and the world God loved enough

I want to be like the Magi.

I want to open my treasure chest

I want to splay out all that I have been given

I want to wonder what are my
Gold
Frankincense
and Myrrh?

I want to ponder what I have
that could honor this newborn King
and the realm he was sent to usher in.

Just in being born,
he has sacrificed so much for me,
and as his story unfolds,
he will sacrifice all the more.

As I live out each day of the year of our Lord 2022
I want to ponder what my sacrifice should be?

What can I offer up that will honor this God of love?

What can I share that will contribute toward his realm,
will help grow its presence in the world?

I want to be like the Magi.

I want to go home by another way.

I want to protect love from any who would threaten it.

I want to resist those powers and forces that would
quell Christ’s presence
extinguish the light
seek to evict Christ from where he has come to dwell.

I want to walk the route less traveled
not the one that leads toward power and position
but the one Christ himself would walk

I want to find my way home 

I want to walk the road that love would trod

I want to be like the Magi.

Maybe, you do, too?

For our world is in need of 
star-gazers
light-chasers
knee-bowers
love-protectors
Christ-dwellers

In the year of our Lord, 2022,

I want to be like the Magi —

Maybe, you do, too.

— Clare Lozano, Epiphany 2022

One Epiphany practice our community engaged in this year, was the chalking of our doors, which can be a visible reminder to us to be light-seekers, Christ-dwellers in the world. For a liturgy you can use at home to do this yourself, click here — all you need for this is a piece of chalk and your door.