On this celebration day of Epiphany, I invite you to travel with the Magi through Matthew 2:1-12 using imaginative prayer.
The Magi Journeying (Les rois, mages en voyage) by James Tissot
God created our imagination and uses it for our good and His glory. We see this in artists’ paintings, musicians’ melodies and grand symphonies, and writers’ poems, plays, and stories. While it feels natural to watch a movie, read a novel, or listen to a storyteller and let our imagination take us to new worlds or ideas, using our imagination in prayer may be a new concept. Let this be a space where God steps in with surprises, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar part of the Bible and your life with Christ.
We enter the story through our imaginations, senses, memories, and questions. The Holy Spirit meets us in the words He wrote about the WORD Himself. Let your current reality and your present self now encounter Jesus in this ancient story that still speaks. Allow mystery to unfold. Talk to God about what happens inside you as you pray with imagination.
The Word that formed me originally forms me continually. My desire is to be formed to the likeness of the WORD Himself through the hands and power of the Holy Spirit within me as I engage with the text of the written WORD of God.
Entering the Story
As we enter the story, we stir up curiosity by participating in the actions at hand.
Open your Bible and read the Matthew 2:1-12 passage slowly. Notice the emotions that surface and the questions that want to be asked. What sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures come to mind as you listen to the Magi’s story?
Now enter your sacred imagination, guided by Holy Spirit.
Imagine the night before the Magi set out on their journey, traveling from the east to Jerusalem. Hear the thoughts swirling in their minds as they try to rest before dawn arrives. Picture yourself as one of the Magi. Listen and enter their experience.
I cannot sleep. I rehearse what brought me to this night.
It all began with a conversation about stars—nothing unusual there. Astrologers talk about stars. Curious astrologers follow stars. Intrigued, we investigate.
But this time, have we gone too far? We are an odd bunch, full of holy curiosity about spiritual matters, yet we are a jumble inside as well.
We are willing to leave familiar lands to search for a mystery: a baby born recently, called the King of the Jews. A baby we know nothing about.
I feel my breath speeding up, faster and faster, as I ponder what we are about to do.
Who leaves without knowing where they are going? Who takes gifts for someone we may not even find? Who hopes to the point of action, when we could stay home and ponder more stars, ask more questions, or just spin more tales of wonder?
The Magi Journeying (Les rois, mages en voyage) by James Tissot
Hearing the thoughts of one of the Magi, you remember a time when you set off on a new adventure, something that intrigued you and pulled you into a mystery. How did that feel? What motivated you to undertake such a journey?
Can you imagine what the Magi packed for their journey? What kind of conversations did they have with family and friends, who were puzzled by this decision?
What did the night air smell like? Was there a fire wafting smoke as the Magi settled into their cozy home space one last time?
What were they feeling? What excited them? What scared them?
Now imagine the farewell at dawn. What does the sky look like? What shape are the clouds? What does riding a camel feel like? What happens to the mind and body when jostled along on the bumpy start of leaving a familiar place?
The route they followed might have been a trade route, possibly parts of the Silk Road or the Royal Road. They might have crossed deserts and lush valleys.
What other travelers did they meet? What conversations happened between those heading east and those heading west? How did the Magi describe their desire for exploration as they traveled across different terrain?
Feeling the Story
What do the Magi wear? How do they feel? What food did they bring with them? What food for thought keeps showing up when they talked around a campfire or as they fed and watered their camels?
How did their bodies feel day after day as they rode atop a camel with a rocking gait? Extremes became everyday experiences: scorching sands, cold, uncomfortable nights, slow progress.
Around the fire tonight, I rubbed my hands briskly, trying to ward off the cold. There’s the boredom of another meal of unappetizing but nourishing food.
Today we walked our stubborn camels, though most days, they carry our stubborn selves.
Pilgrimages like this provide hope, but they also pose overwhelming challenges. We are caught between our departure and our destination.
Persia, we miss your familiar sights and sounds. Jerusalem, and perhaps beyond, our curiosity drives us forward toward you.
Five hundred miles filled with questions, danger, weather, strange lands, and stranger longings. Other travelers on the Royal Road and the Silk Road share ideas for being resourceful and resilient. Still, we follow the stars that guide us eastward, not quite sure where we are heading.
The Magi Journeying (Les rois, mages en voyage) by James Tissot
Off they go, led by a star brighter than all the others. Finally, the Magi arrive in Jerusalem. It bustles with activity. It teems with all kinds of people, all of whom are subject to Rome’s military rule.
Recall a moment when you reached a stopping point during a long journey. How did your body feel when you paused? What thoughts occupied your mind? What sensation felt most vivid in this new environment? What delight amazed you? What fear stirred your unease?
Wariness of Travel
How do you think the Magi felt after traveling so far, yet still not reaching their destination? What do they say to each other? How will they describe everything to friends and family once they are home?
Glad to be in a big city, where the market overflows with interesting foods, a welcome change from the things we packed and bravely ate during our travels. The days here in Jerusalem provide a break for our tired bodies, but our journey is still not finished.
We asked everyone we met, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”
We aren’t even sure who we are searching for, but we hope someone can provide insight.
Many shake their heads and stay silent.
“We have seen His star in the east. We have come to worship Him.”
No one seems to understand what we are talking about, or, for some reason, they aren’t responding.
One day, we are brought before King Herod’s court. We hear that our words have troubled the King.
His words disturb us. A sense of unease rises within me as I listen to his demanding questions in a secret meeting. We Magi are all cautious but honest in sharing everything we know about the star that has captured our full attention.
“Go and search carefully for the young child. Let me know when you find him, so I can worship him as well.”
I’m struggling to believe that this King could worship anyone but himself.
As soon as we can, we escape his gaze and the frenzy of Jerusalem.
The Magi Journeying (Les rois, mages en voyage) by James Tissot
When have you experienced silence when you truly needed an answer? When have you encountered demands in secretive meetings that unsettled you?
Traveling On
Again, on their journey, the bright star guides them forward. At last, Bethlehem’s village welcomes their steadfast determination.
The star stood still. So did we.
A king lives here? In this humble home?
A mere slip of a girl, Mary, and her Joseph welcome us in.
The aroma of bread fills the air, enticing hunger.
We hear laughter, like water dancing on rocks.
The atmosphere in this small home radiates happiness.
We see this young child who seems to glow with goodness as he smiles light upon us.
I fall to my knees, then to my face. I’m overwhelmed. My heart trembles with wonder.
Every single Magi also adores this Child.
We remain still, watching. With each minute we spend in His presence, our curiosity about this little one grows.
I open my bag of gold as my friends open theirs filled with frankincense and myrrh.
Even if I had a mountain of gold, it wouldn’t be enough to offer to this One who is Treasure Himself.
His small hands touch my arm, his eyes meet mine — a gaze magnificent, endless, ancient, and fresh.
I blink away tears.
What just occurred?
I recognize these sensations to some lesser degree.
Love. Joy. Peace.
For the rest of my life, I could gaze upon this Love of a Child.
I rejoice because I have found the one who is the King of my heart.
The Magi Journeying (Les rois, mages en voyage) by James Tissot
Lingering on the Journey
The Magi linger. The scent of heaven fills their senses. They yearn to remain forever bowed, dancing, and gazing. Mary and Joseph offer them a simple supper before they depart into another night filled with restless wonder. Morning dawns.
“I dreamed a strange foreboding dream, friends,” I say to the other Magi over breakfast.
Each nods in agreement. A rush of words erupts.
“Yes. So did I,” each replies.
A shiver runs down my spine.
We can’t. We must not accept King Herod’s invitation to return with information for him.
“True. True. True.” Yet in the words, a shadow looms, and darkness tries to smother. Even just the mention of Herod unsettles us all.
“We must go home by another way,” another of us voices.
“Yes, home by another way. That’s wise.”
We get back on the camels.
We are not the same as we were when we started.
We will never be the same again.
The Magi Journeying (Les rois, mages en voyage) by James Tissot
Recall your very first encounter with Jesus. What did His voice sound like? What transpired during that initial look between you two? What feelings arose? How did being with Jesus make you feel?
What happened as you traveled with the Magi? Where did your imagination take you? What did you hear, see, feel, smell, taste, and touch? What was it like to travel so far to Jerusalem and then experience the strange secret meeting with King Herod?
What’s puzzled you in your journeys? What’s interrupted or erupted during such sojourns?
How did you react when Mary and Joseph invited you in? What did your heart feel when you saw the young Jesus with the Magi for the first time?
What gift is God offering you during this time of imaginative prayer?
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit take joy in conversations with you.
Take time to reflect, pray, and journal about your personal imaginative prayer journey with the Magi to discover and worship Jesus. May Epiphany come alive for you in a fresh way through this encounter with God.
Learn more about the image, “The Magi Journeying”, used in this blog, HERE.
