Those magic men the magi, some people call them wise, were oriental, even kings, well anyway those guys. They visited with Jesus, they really enjoyed their stay, then warned in a dream of King Herod's scheme, went home by another way.

Dear FIRSTNAME,

The preceding is a stanza from a James Taylor song, "Home by Another Way." It's his take on the Visit of the Magi in the Gospel of St. Matthew. I love this old song because it's based on one of my favorite New Testament stories. These mysterious guys travel such a long distance following a star that suddenly appeared in the heavens. Who does such a thing? Being educated men of science who were naturally curious, they dropped everything to learn, to try to understand the phenomenon they were seeing in the heavens. Yes, they were men of science but they also were men of great faith. They had to be to embark on such a journey. After paying homage to the baby in the manger and presenting him with gifts, they listened to the voice in their dreams warning them of Herod's dastardly intentions and went home by another way.

It's a great story and there is a lesson in it for all of us. As we celebrate this wondrous season with family and friends let us remember that while the ways of the world, like the road back to Herod, is sometimes the easier road to take, it is at times better to resist worldly enticements and focus on the true meaning of the season, that God entered into the world in the most vulnerable way possible, as a baby, and grew into a man who devoted his time on earth to preaching and teaching about another way to live a life filed with love, kindness and empathy for all people. If we take the gospel message to heart, we may find ourselves more thoughtful and considerate of others and like the Magi, on the way back home on a less-traveled road.

On behalf of all of us at the Academy, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.

Sincerely,

Art Raimo