On Outside Wisdom

The birth of Jesus as told in the gospel attributed to Matthew focuses on a family fleeing a horribly oppressive political regime that is threatening to kill their newborn. Matthew’s murderous telling of events makes the birth narrative in Luke look merely pastoral—which is saying a lot since Luke’s version of events is also quite grim at times. (Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 1-2)

The “good guys” in the early verses of Matthew are unexpected. Mary and Joseph are humble, everyday parents that transform into superheroes as they fly off to places unfamiliar to them. They become sojourners and refugees to avoid persecution from the threatening regional authorities, and to save their child’s life.

Alongside the heroic Holy Family, the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah (or Savior) in this book are wise people from a foreign land. These outsiders arrive in a mystical fashion (following a star) and give the Holy Child gifts symbolizing earthly power, divine spirituality, and human mortality (gold, frankincense, and myrrh).

The actual text does not tell us how many wise folks came. It could have been three, it could have been three-hundred. Did they all come at once or was their arrival staggered? It’s a mystery that keeps us guessing and invites us to ponder how many outsiders saw Jesus as the Messiah while those closer remained unaware of the divinity in their midst.

The lessons are plentiful here with some perhaps more inescapable than others. Of the most obvious is the realization that wisdom often comes from the outside. We need to have others from beyond our usual spheres of influence reveal to us new epiphanies that can enlighten our lives and enhance our society.

Of the political nature (the primary focus of my reflections on Matthew’s text from now through November), there is a lesson about literally welcoming outsiders—refugees, sojourners, vagabonds, wanderers, travelers, lost, homeless, poor, hungry, strangers, outcasts. The story of the Holy Family is a story that uplifts all of these people and more. Wise ones will honor these lives, welcome them in, and elevate their humanity.

We are called to be wise and welcoming like the sages of old in this story. And to be heroic and brave like the Holy Family, which we are now adopted into as well by being followers of Jesus, the Christ Child.