The Three Mysterious Magi

The Magi ( Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings, were in early Christian tradition, a group of Eastern Mystics who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi were mystic masters who were the first to identify Jesus. It states that "they" came "from the east" to worship the Christ, "born King of the Jews." In Eastern traditions, the Magi number twelve. Their identification as kings in later Christian writings is a vague reference, possibly referring to Psalms 72:11, "May all kings fall down before him".

The traditional story goes as follows…

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the

prophet:

'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'

" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.

It is interesting to note that in this biblical account, the three magi were “wise” to Herod’s ulterior motives, and did not “Rat baby Jesus out.”

The earliest known usage of the word Magi is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius the Great, the third king of the First Persian Empire also known as the Achaemenid Empire. The term Magi has been used since at least the 6th century BC, to denote followers of Zoroaster.

Zoroaster (c.630 - c.550 BC), also called Zarathustra, was an ancient Persian prophet who founded the first world religion - Zoroastrianism. According to the 'Zend Avesta', the sacred book of Zoroastrianism, he was born in Azerbaijan, in northern Persia, probably in the seventh century BC, although some scholars put the time-frame for Zoroaster much earlier.

petroglyphs from Azerbaijan

The earliest evidence of human settlement in the territory of Azerbaijan dates to the late Stone Age and is related to the Guruchay culture of the Azykh Cave. The Upper Paleolithic and late Bronze Age cultures are attested in the caves of Tağılar, Damcılı, Zar, Yataq-yeri and in the necropolises of Leylatepe and Saraytepe.

A major personality in the history of the religions of the world, Zoroaster has been the object of much attention for two reasons. On the one hand, he became a legendary figure believed to be connected with occult knowledge and magical practices in the Near Eastern and Mediterranean world in the Hellenistic Age (c. 300 bc–c. ad 300).

On the other hand, his monotheistic concept of God has attracted the attention of modern historians of religion, who have speculated on the connections between his teaching and Judaism and Christianity. Though extreme claims of pan-Iranianism (i.e., that Zoroastrian or Iranian ideas influenced Greek, Roman, and Jewish thought) may be debatable, the pervasive influence of Zoroaster’s religious thought must nevertheless be recognized.

As with most, if not all philosophic (and spiritual) traditions, Zoroaster advocated a version of the Golden Rule…

"That which is good for all and any one,

For whomsoever- that is good for me. . .

What I hold good for self, I should for all.

Only Law Universal is true law."

-          Zarathustra

The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is a global ethical code of conduct. It has a long history, and a great number of prominent religious figures and philosophers have restated various forms of the Rule in numerous ways.

The Golden Rule is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights, in which each individual has a right to just treatment and a responsibility to ensure justice for others. A key element of the Golden Rule is that a person attempting to live by this rule treats all people, not just members of his or her in-group or tribe, with consideration.

The Golden Rule has its roots in a wide range of world cultures and is a standard which different cultures use to resolve conflicts. It is in this sense a truly global (if not universal) system of ethical behavior and as such serves as a cornerstone of human unity.

“Doing good to others is not a duty, it is a joy, for it increases our own health and happiness.”

-          Zarathustra

“Taking the first footstep with a good thought the second with a good word and the third with a good deed I entered Paradise”

-          Zarathustra

So during this wondrous time of year, take a moment to look past the rampant commercialism of the holiday season and remember the important things in life. Remember the spirit of the season… remember tidings of great joy. Remember that during this season, it is better to give from the heart, than from the pocketbook. Perhaps the gold, one of three gifts brought to baby Jesus by the the three mysterious Magi, was the golden rule... perhaps this was the gift of the Magi.

Have a happy and healthy Solstice celebration and be mindful of the Golden Rule…

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.