You don’t need a map to walk the Camino.
Follow the stones inset with yellow scallop shells. Some of these trail markers are old and beautiful. Some have graffiti and stickers covering them. Some are missing altogether and you just have to look for bright yellow arrows painted onto the road or signs or even on walls. A priest in the 1980s took it upon himself to revive the Camino de Santiago, driving the route and painting yellow arrows to guide pilgrims through the tricky spots.
There are few reasons on the Camino to look down: you’re checking on your feet or you’re high up on a hill. The general wisdom is to look up. There is another hill to climb—look up. There are always yellow arrow markers or blue and yellow shell markers to be found—look up. There are cathedral ceilings to admire—look up.
Epiphany, January 6, is the last day of Christmas. It is sometimes called Three Kings Day—celebrating the journey ancient astronomers took to bring gifts to the baby Jesus.
The wise men were also on a pilgrimage.
They didn’t have a map telling them what roads to follow or trail blazes pointing the way. Instead, they had to look up and go in the direction the bright light in the sky—two planets converging to show them the way. They had to look up.
The three wise men weren’t part of the Jewish group waiting for a Messiah. They were from “the East”—a vague descriptor that some have interpreted as anywhere from Saudi Arabia to Persia, Syria, India, China, or even Ethiopia. The open-endedness of their origin is the message. The good news of Epiphany is that the story of Jesus is for everyone. Not just for the Jews, but for Gentiles (non-Jews)—everyone else too.
Life is for everyone—even you. It isn’t for just the rich or just the poor. There isn’t an “in” crowd. Everyone is welcome and belongs. Goodness is for everyone.
On this Epiphany, I also consider the gifts of wise women. Many women have offered me gifts in my life: family members, teachers, and friends.
However, if this story were about wise women, I think they would be midwives.
They offer their herbs and spices.
They hold space.
They say so much without saying anything.
They have seen life and they have seen death.
They help us carry our hopes and also our fears.
They offer comfort and share in our joy.
They wait with us when waiting feels impossible.
They are ready when the time arrives.
They sit back and let us birth.
Their hands are already there before we know we need them.
They are the first to hold new life.
They remind us who we are.
I imagine Joseph frantically seeking midwives to support Mary as she birthed. Maybe they brought some older female relatives along for the journey—knowing she was close to giving birth.
We need to add a midwife or two to the nativity scene.
Mary, a first time mom, feeling the urge to push. Was it her aunt or a stranger giving her a calm nod to listen to her body? Was it her sister or someone from Bethlehem gathering water and towels to clean up? Who held Mary’s hair as she threw up when the pain became too much? Who buried her placenta? Who showed her how to hold her breast just so to offer to the screaming newborn? Who caught baby Jesus as he came into the world? Who were the first hands to hold Life?
What wise women did Mary look to? Who smiled, her face saying, “It is going to be okay. You are doing great”?
Consider the wisdom givers in your life. Who do you listen to? Who do you look to when things are difficult? Who do you let speak into your life? What are they saying? Are they speaking good news and life or are they speaking criticism and death? Are they telling you that you are doing great, that everything is going to be okay?
You get to choose which voices tell you who you are—from real life interactions to the people you follow on social media. May they be life-giving, for they are holding your life.
As we enter a new calendar year, I encourage you to think on these things:
Look up! You may not have a map for what your year will look like, but there will be markers along the way if you choose to look for them.
Let goodness be for everyone—even you!
Make a list of the people you are letting influence you. Thank the wisdom givers and edit out the voices that are not giving you life. You deserve to be reminded who you are. Leave a comment below sharing who a wise person has been for you in your life.
my now husband Jim. My greatest influence the last year Has Been the Trinity of God! Their influence has been beyond anything I had yet to experience. Betty
There have been many wise people that have influenced me in my life. I would have to say that right now that wise person is my husband Rene.
This is a great reflection! I enjoy reading your posts!