Yesterday when I was praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in preparation for the vigil of the Epiphany, it struck me how the standard mysteries parallel the journey of the Wise Men (aka Magi or Three Kings)! I wanted to share these reflections in case you find them helpful. I am sure others have come up with a similar approach, but this is the one that occurred to me-

First Joyful Mystery – the Annunciation

Epiphany correlation: the Appearance of the Star

The Annunciation refers to the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to announce  to Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Redeemer (Luke 1: 26-38). This parallels the appearance of the star to the Wise Men: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Matthew 2: 2).

Like the message of Gabriel, the rising star did not signal the immediate appearance of Jesus, but began the process of preparation. It was the catalyst that set everything else in motion. The hearts of Mary and the Magi began to long to see what these signs were preparing them to see. May we foster this desire to see the Lord in our own hearts!

Second Joyful Mystery – the Visitation

Epiphany correlation: the Journey to Bethlehem

After receiving the message of Gabriel, Mary traveled in haste over the hill country to visit her relative Elizabeth (Lk 1: 39-45). This parallels the journey of the Wise Men: “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem” (Mt 2: 1). 

In both cases, the initial message prompted a response of action. Traveling was not an easy thing, involving either foot travel or the care of animals, and likely camping in the open when an inn was not available. What is now a simple “day trip” for us would have required a journey more difficult than most of us have ever taken! But, these challenges did not cause Mary or the Magi to give up their quest. May the gift of faith inspire us to action, persevering in the journey of love of God and neighbor!

Third Joyful Mystery – the Nativity (Birth of Jesus)

Epiphany correlation: Encountering the Child Jesus

After nine months of pregnancy, Mary finally had the joy of seeing the child she had been carrying in her womb (Lk 2: 7). Likewise, after their journey, the Magi at last found the “newborn king” they had been seeking: “After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage” (Mt 2: 9-11a). 

The Wise Men respond to the encounter with Jesus by paying him homage – experiencing part of the joy, gratitude, and love that Mary felt in looking down at her Child. Let us make time in our life for this grateful prayer, especially when we have the opportunity for Eucharistic adoration!

Fourth Joyful Mystery – the Presentation in the Temple

Epiphany correlation: the Presentation of the Three Gifts

After forty days, Mary and Joseph went to present the infant Jesus in the Temple, according to the Law (Lk 2: 22-38). It was a concrete moment of entrusting their greatest treasure back to the Lord. The Magi did not have to wait forty days after meeting the Child to offer their treasures, but did so immediately: “Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2: 11b). 

The joy, gratitude, and love in the previous mystery inspire us to make an offering of our very self to the Lord – our time, talent, and treasure, pointing to the deeper gift of our heart. As our Diocesan vocation prayer says, “Lord, help me to want to be what You want me to be!”

Fifth Joyful Mystery – Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

Epiphany correlation: the Return Home

Jumping forward in time again, at age twelve Jesus was temporarily lost in Jerusalem – significantly for three days, at the time of Passover – before being found in the Temple (Lk 2: 41-52). This passage ends by stating, “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart” (Lk 2 51). Likewise, the account of the Magi ends by telling us, “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Mt 2: 12). 

Mary returns home, continuing to reflect about the significance of what had happened. The Magi also return home “by another way,” a phrase that can signify both a different course of travel as well as a different manner of life. Surely they spent much time thinking about what had happened, and its significance for their lives. As we finish the Christmas season (and the meditations of the rosary), how is the Lord inviting us to return to our daily lives in ‘another way?’