A snowy, blustery, frigid , monochrome day!
Today is Epiphany: Little Christmas. This day in the Christian liturgical calendar honors the arrival of the Wise Men at the stable in Bethlehem.
They had been following a star for months and were far from home. We say they were wise because, even though they were tired, they could see the divinity in the baby in the manger and in his family. They were not fooled by the poverty and desperation of the family, and they responded to obvious need with generosity and kindness.
They were also wise because they listened to their dreams and refused to tell the authorities of the child’s location and identity. They recognized deceit and danger when they encountered it.
May we all be wise in this time of a new Herod’s reign. May we see the divinity of each and every being, and offer aid when it is needed. May we refuse to support the destruction of those who are vulnerable or different, even when such harm is deemed patriotic. May we indeed be wise in these dark and perilous times.
Dreaming the World 
Today is also celebrated here in Spain, where mostly are Catholics.
I agree with you, Michael. Let us support each other, where we are able to.
Thanks for the wonderful blessing, Michael. We all need to be wise as we make our way through the coming year, showing compassion for all who are in need and confronting all that is not true and harmful. And I agree with Irene that we all need to stick together so we don’t lose sight of the star and become lost.
Pat, Yes, let’s keep following the star, reminding each other it still leads us, even on cloudy, storm days.
This is a lovely way of looking at the journey and wisdom of the three wise men, thank you for sharing your thoughts about this. I agree, if wisdom equates following our intuition, standing strong and showing kindness, then I also hope that all people (myself included!) grow a little wiser in 2018!
Yes, let us practice these very challenging tasks!
Amen!!
A totally apt interpretation of the day’s meaning in the current climate – I hope you enjoyed a splendid Twelfth Night.
Yes, we had a marvelous evening!
Your post reminds me of a German tradition that is still practiced in some of the villages there (I saw proof of it when I visited last year). Three men dress up as the Three Kings (or Wise Men), then knock on each door and write a blessing on the door frame above the door that would look like this in 2018: C + M + B 2018. It stands for the names of the 3 Kings: Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar.
What a marvelous tradition! I think there are still similar practices in other parts of Europe and Latin America.
Yes, everywhere Roman Catholicism is being practiced.
Yes indeed, I grew up in Cologne where the supposed remains of the three wise men are resting, and it’s an important tradition there. The CMB can also stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat” – May Christ bless this home. 🙂
I did not know about the Latin blessing, thanks for adding that.
May we all be blessed.
such a wonderful wish, Michael!
wishing you warmth & happiness
despite the wind chill 🙂
The wind has died down, the sun is out, and the frost is growing happily on the windows! I am enjoying winter, feeling warm and comforted! I hope you are as well.
Thankyou Michael. A beautiful reminder to be true to wisdom.