The Magi—Non-Christian Followers of Jesus
Epiphany
Listen: “Song of the Magi” by Anais Mitchell
You don’t have to call yourself a Christian to be deeply drawn to Jesus. There are people around the world—Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, agnostic, even atheist—who see something compelling in his story and teachings. For some, this is unexpected, maybe even unnerving, especially for those used to thinking that Jesus “belongs” to any one group. But this wide embrace actually runs right through the heart of the original Christmas story.
The men we call the Magi—the “wise men”—stood outside every religious boundary. They weren’t Jewish. They weren’t Christian (the term wouldn’t exist for decades). The were magicians, star-readers, outsiders from distant cultures. Scripture leaves their origin and beliefs ambiguous. Some say they hailed from Persia, or Arabia, or somewhere further east. Maybe they were Zoroastrian, maybe not. What matters for Matthew’s gospel is this: they were seekers from beyond. And yet, they recognized something sacred in the child beneath the star. They traveled far, drawn by signs they could not quite explain, crossing borders of language, religion, and tradition. When they found the baby and his mother, they did something remarkable: they offered gifts, they bowed, they rejoiced. Outsiders became the first to follow the shepherds to honor Jesus for who he really was.
Their story is a quiet rebuke to all attempts to gatekeep wonder, to say that spiritual truth is only for the insiders. If the Magi belong at the manger, so does everyone, regardless of creed or background. Their devotion still has something to teach us, all these centuries later.
First, they paid attention. The Magi noticed beauty, meaning, the subtle hint that something in the world was shifting. “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.” They tuned into the extraordinary in the ordinary. That’s a posture any of us can practice—a willingness to watch, listen, and let ourselves be moved.
Second, they responded with humility. They arrived, stepped inside, bowed low, and honored the mystery before them. Sometimes, the wisest move is surrender: to set down certainty and come open-handed to what we cannot fully explain. That’s a posture of healing and growth, in every tradition.
Third, generosity. Their gifts were extravagant, a way to say thank you to mystery itself. To witness grace and respond with closed fists breaks the cycle. But to give time, kindness, creativity, whatever you have—reminds us that love isn’t meant to be hoarded. Generosity always expands the soul.
The Magi aren’t just a Christmas detail; they’re an invitation. Their journey tells us that the story of Jesus begins at the edges, with outsiders and searchers, with those willing to
follow curiosity and awe. That’s the heart of true devotion, and it still calls to anyone paying attention. Jesus came to serve, to give—his arms open wide for all. That’s the spirit of Epiphany, the spirit at the heart of Christmas: wonder welcomed, surrender offered, gifts freely given.
Shalom
©realfredherron, 2026
