Oh, a wise guy!

I cannot think of the term wise guy without hearing Curly Howard's voice intoning that phrase. During this season, images of the three wise men adorn churches and homes. In my youth, I'd hear the Christmas carol and wonder where Orientar was, and why it needed three kings.

Learning the correct lyrics, I began researching these wise guys, aka the Magi. To me the Orient was China and Japan. The root of the word was Latin, oriri, meaning to rise. Orient literally means from the rising sun. Their origin was east of Bethlehem.

So, where does the term magi come, and how does it relate to the nativity?  Even as a kid, I noticed the word's similarity to magic. Were they sorcerers? Off to that etymological treasure trove, the Oxford English Dictionary. The Haddonfield library had a large version on a pedestal with a magnifying glass attached to see the minuscule print. At that age, I needed to stand on a chair to read it. 

Magi, the plural form of magnus, was used by the ancient Greeks as a name for  the priestly caste of Persia who followed Zoroaster. This name reminded me of my favorite caped/masked hero who made the sign of the Z.  My study transformed into a Russian nesting doll. Each answer uncovered another question. I was confused, yet fascinated.


After hours of perusing the library, I found out the Magi, known for their knowledge of astronomy (which made sense "following yonder star") were wise, learned men who presented royal gifts to the prince of peace. Feeling fulfilled, I went on with my life as an 11-year-old.


Years later I discovered that I had not delved far enough into that nesting doll of knowledge. In his gospel, Matthew never mentioned the number of Magi. Three was deduced from the number of gifts. So the trio was pure conjecture. Theories abound. They came from as close as Syria, or a far as China, if they existed at all.


A later translation calls them kings to stress the divinity of Jesus alluding to a psalm which says that even kings would kneel before the messiah. This is also the tract that led to the Roman Catholic aerobics of bobbing up and down on our knees during mass. The magic-magi connection comes from the prejudice that those with different beliefs must be evil practitioners of sorcery and witchcraft. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition! 


A suspicious, cynical kernel began pollinating in my psyche which continues growing to this day.


At 17, I read Thus Spake Zarathustra by Nietzche. (Zoroaster being the English translation of his Avestan name) An obtuse and difficult read, the book exposed ideas counter to much of my religious training. I had an epiphany and grasped the Shakespearian quote, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."


What's all this have to do with carols and Christmas? I have no idea. Muddled musings and discombobulated doggerel indeed. Happy Holidays - as ever BB


"One must have chaos within oneself, to give birth to a dancing star." - Friedrich Nietzche from Thus Spake Zarathustra