6th century Magi
"Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn...Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord." So did Balaam, the prophet hired to curse Israel who could only bless: "A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel." Stars and kings go together.
Isaiah
What were their faces like?
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?
For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew
Parthian ,old Persia, astronomers coming to worship in the home of Jesus-now a child.
Tissot' Magi
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. -Matthew
It would have been two years after Jesus was born-now a little boy when the mystic Magi arrived.
Today, How might they have traveled?
Today, How might they have traveled?
Would we have believed in their vision ?
Wolfgang Kaehler photographer
Magi of Bernardo Gozzoli 1459
Travel with Hope.
"The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different."
Ghandi
If we could only live thus. How lives would be spared.
modern magi i photograph of Wodaabe Man , Niger
magi ii Rajasthan India photograph by April Maciborka from National Geographic here
magi iii Bedouin tribesman photographed copyright by Wolfgang Kaehler from Corbis here
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Lovely post for this Ephiphany day, Gaye.
ReplyDeleteTravel life with hope, we must!
It's fascinating to look at these images and wonder if there is some resemblance to those kings of long ago...there probably is.
ReplyDeleteWithout those amazing and generous gifts...Mary and Joseph could not have afforded to escape the oncoming horror of Herod...quite brilliant.
xo J~
(I have so much catching up to do with you...your posts are so worthy of a nice cup of tea...and time! Wish I had a laptop.)
You always seem to ask the questions I want answered, or the questions I haven't thought to ask but would like to know...if that makes any earthly sense at all! Ever since I was a child I've been fascinated by the 3 Magi and wondered what they might have looked like. Beautiful paintings and extraordinary looking people. It definitely sparks the imagination...especialy the first image. I like his sideways, knowing glance!
ReplyDeleteH.H.
Gorgeous post with essential questions:
ReplyDeleteWould we have believed in their vision ?
Hi Gaye its a very intersting question isnt it ! just been listening to a programme about it and they reckon they were astrologists and not changed into Kings until 4 centuries later ? however what DID they look like ! Glad you included my favourite chapel in Firenze the Medici Ricardo it is truly a gem and pefect in every detail Grazie fay x
ReplyDeleteLovely art....but those faces.... mesmerizing, enigmatic, beautiful
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