Epiphany. Twelfth Night. The Three Kings. The Magi.

Three Wise Men traversed afar. They rejoiced. They fell down to worship. They brought precious treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As a pastor friend wrote, “We don’t know who these three mysterious, wise travelers were. We don’t know what happens to them after they leave the site of Jesus’ birth. All we know is they choose to follow the Star, to go and see, and then show great wisdom in not going back to report to King Herod…” ~Rev. Erik Folkerth~

M. and I frequently walk together to clear our heads, breathe fresh air, observe the changing of the seasons, and talk through daily events to unpack the realities of life. While he’s a man of few words most of the time (because, well, he’s married to me), his direct yet profound words of assurance always resonate: “All we really have left to offer in today’s world is our humanity. Without our humanity, we have nothing. No matter what is swirling around us, let us continue to be kind humans and love others.” Yes; his few words always calm my soul.

We manifest what we think and then say. We keep it simple even when we know it’s not easy. We choose to show up. We choose to pay attention. We choose to speak truth. We choose to be kind. We choose to love others. And oh my stars…yes, it’s all simple in theory; it’s just not easy in daily practice.

“We ARE the Magi, searching, resplendent in this world’s accoutrements of knowledge and wealth and achievement…but we search and seek something more.”  ~Ann Weems~

Perhaps we are more like the Magi than we realize. They chose courage and kindness in not returning to Herod, the one who sent them. As humans, we seek, discover, observe, perceive, grow, and change on our journeys. In our humanity, we shine the light on uncomfortable truths and realizations we often find difficult to process. We make choices, for better or for worse, then we continue to search and seek more. And sometimes in our humanity, we must simply choose “to return another way.”

So on this Epiphany, as we grapple with our humanity and being human, may genuine hope, faith, and intentional practice guide each of us in the coming year. May we seek those glimmers of truth, accountability, kindness, and love in our interactions with one another. In all our humanity, this is never easy, but it’s a simple way to be human.