Even if historically they came later, the Magi are no strangers to this Mystery of the Nativity. The Icon is beyond time, place and history. They wear on their heads, in their turbans, balls of perfume that were put on great personages; a tradition taken from Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs. During festivals and ceremonies, a ball of perfume was placed on the heads of important people and temple priests. This ball melted slowly and was scented throughout the long liturgies that the Pharaoh and the people celebrated in honour of the gods. The Hebrews took up this tradition and the Bible tells us: "Yes, it is good and sweet for brothers to live together and be united! It is like a precious balm, like perfume on the head, that goes down on the beard, Aaron's beard, that goes down on the hem of his garment". (Psalm 132, 1-2) Jesus said to the Pharisee Simeon: "You did not put perfume on my head...". Luke 7, 36-50
Note the symbolism of the colours all around: blue: wisdom; dark red: royalty; green: life; bright red: the Spirit; ochre: the desert; grey, pink and mauve: the neutral colours of our daily lives.
Sister Marie-Paul
This icon was written at the request of the organisers of the World Youth Day in Toronto. Pope John Paul II wanted the star to be big and bright," Father Rosica told us.
%201.png)