In this video, I’m sharing my personal reflections on Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. I dive into what I’m giving up this year, my hopes for the season, and what this journey means to me through the lens of my Catholic faith.
In the modern world, we’ve become very good at “rebranding” symbols. We take ancient signs, slap them on logos or t-shirts, and strip away their original intent until they become mere visual noise. But there is one symbol that deserves far more respect than it currently gets: the rainbow.
It isn’t just a trick of physics or a colorful backdrop for a photo op. It is a sign of an ancient promise, and we need to stop treating it like an ordinary decoration. To understand why it matters, we have to look at the world that existed before the first rainbow ever appeared.
Before the Great Flood, the Earth was a fundamentally different place. It is highly likely the planet was encased in a massive “Vapor Canopy”—a layer of water in the upper atmosphere that created a pressurized, oxygen-rich environment.
Think of it as a planet-wide hyperbaric chamber. This canopy would have provided two vital protections:
This environment explains how the Earth could support such massive animal life. The dense air provided the lift needed for giant creatures to fly and the oxygen required to fuel their enormous frames.
When the “windows of heaven” were opened, that canopy collapsed. For forty days and nights, the very shield that protected the Earth became the instrument of its judgment. We don’t have to look far to see the scars of this event; the evidence is all around us if we interpret the data correctly.
Take Alberta, for example. We find sea life fossils in the middle of the prairies and deep within the foothills—thousands of miles from any ocean. Furthermore, our massive oil sands and oil deposits are essentially the “graveyards” of the pre-Flood world.
Oil is formed when massive amounts of organic matter—lush plants and animals—are buried rapidly under extreme pressure. The sheer scale of the Alberta oil deposits suggests a catastrophic burial of a world that was far more biologically dense than our own. These aren’t just fuel sources; they are the remains of the world that existed before the rainbow.
Many claim these things take millions of years, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Look at the fossilized soft-felt hat found in Australia—it turned to solid stone in less than ten years because it was submerged in mineral-rich water. Fossilization isn’t about time; it’s about conditions. The Flood provided the perfect conditions to turn a world into stone and oil almost overnight.
When the water finally settled and the skies cleared, the physics of our world had changed. The atmosphere was thinner, the radiation was higher, and human lifespans began to drop. It was in this “new” air—where direct sunlight could finally hit individual raindrops—that the first rainbow appeared.
The rainbow was established as a covenant. It was a literal “bow” set in the clouds—a sign from the Creator that even though the protective canopy was gone and the world had become a harsher place, it would never again face total destruction by water.
When you understand that context, the rainbow stops being “cute” and starts being solemn. It represents mercy, survival, and a divine guarantee. Using it for mundane or contradictory purposes feels like taking a sacred legal contract and using it as gift wrap.
The rainbow belongs to everyone, but it doesn’t belong to every cause.
We should leave the rainbow alone—not because we don’t like color, but because we should respect the weight of the promise it carries. Let it stay in the clouds where it belongs, serving its original purpose as a reminder of mercy in a world that lost its ancient shield.
This is a lot to take in, and it challenges a lot of what we are told about history and science. But the evidence—from the oil sands in my backyard here in Alberta to the “stone” hats of Australia—is hard to ignore.
If you want to dive deeper into the science of the Canopy Theory, discuss more geological evidence, or talk about what this means for us today, I’d love to have you in our community. I’m always willing to discuss these topics further over on the Swagnilla Ice Discord.
Let’s keep seeking the truth together and reject the garbage of lies the world is offering.
Modern media outlets like National Geographic rely on the fact that most people are lazy. They want to be spoon-fed “history” like they’re playing a game on Easy Mode. These documentaries work overtime to “explain away” the Bible. When they find Semitic store-cities in the Egyptian Delta, they call them “mercenary camps.” When they see a city abandoned overnight, they blame a “shifting Nile.”
But if you’re a fan of Creative Engineering, you know that the best rewards come when you actually use your head. Whether it’s a logic puzzle in Treasure Cove or the logistics of the Exodus, the math doesn’t lie.
One of the biggest lies in secular archaeology is the “Perfect Succession.” Official Egyptian king lists make it look like every Pharaoh died on December 31st and the next guy started on January 1st.
We know that isn’t how reality works. These lists were propaganda. By removing the natural gaps and ignoring co-regencies, historians have inflated the Egyptian timeline by about 200 years. When you “deflate” that timeline and remove the artificial transitions, the Bible and archaeology align perfectly.
The ten plagues weren’t just “natural disasters.” They were specific, surgical judgments against the Egyptian pantheon—the demonic entities that the Egyptians worshipped.
God wasn’t just freeing slaves; He was dismantling a demonic power structure in front of the entire world.
The tenth plague didn’t just kill a prince; it ended a dynasty. In the 18th Dynasty, the “Perfect Heir” had to be the son of the Pharaoh and his Great Royal Wife (who was almost always his sister or half-sister to keep the bloodline “divine”).
When that firstborn son died, the “pure” line of succession snapped. The successor, Thutmose IV, was likely the son of a secondary wife. This is why he had to erect the Dream Stele between the paws of the Sphinx. He had to claim a god “bypassed” the traditional line to pick him. You don’t need a “divine dream” to justify your rule unless the rightful, high-born heir is dead and the palace is in a state of chaos.
We often underestimate the blow of losing 600 chosen chariots. These were the “stealth fighters” of the Bronze Age, but the bigger loss was the 1,200 elite troops and the 1,200 warhorses. When the sea closed over them, Egypt lost its entire mobile strike force. This is why Amenhotep II’s military records vanish after his 9th year. He didn’t become a man of peace; he had no “hardware” or “pilots” left to fight with.
In the ancient world, master trades like chariot building and horse taming were family secrets passed from father to firstborn son. When the heirs of these craftsmen died in the tenth plague, the “instruction manuals” for Egypt’s high-tech industry were deleted. The “trade secrets” died in a single night, ensuring Egypt couldn’t simply rebuild. They had to reinvent the wheel from scratch.
This is where the secular narrative completely falls apart. If the Exodus is a myth, then the Egyptian records contain an impossible coincidence.
After the Exodus, Egypt—the regional superpower—goes silent for decades. When they finally reappear in the Amarna Letters, we see desperate messages from Canaanite kings begging the Pharaoh for help against a group called the “Habiru” (Hebrews) who are taking over the land.
To believe the “experts,” you have to believe the Hebrews just coincidentally appeared out of thin air exactly 40 years after Egypt’s army was wiped out. That’s not archaeology; that’s a bad script. Why didn’t Egypt send the army to stop them? Because they were still a bankrupt nation trying to rebuild an elite officer corps that had been sitting at the bottom of the Reed Sea for 40 years.
For decades, “experts” laughed at the Bible and said King David was as real as King Arthur—a total legend. Then, in 1993, the Tel Dan Stele was found. It’s a victory monument from an Aramean king who bragged about killing a king from the “House of David.”
Just like the “Habiru” in the Amarna Letters, the physical evidence proves that the people the Bible describes were exactly where the Bible says they were. The “experts” were wrong for a century. They are wrong about the Exodus now.
The evidence isn’t missing; it’s just been hidden by a calendar designed to protect the pride of dead Pharaohs. If you’re tired of being fed stories that don’t pass a basic logic test, it’s time to start using your brain.
The receipts are real, and they are sitting in museums right now. I’ve put together a full Museum Field Guide with the exact catalog numbers for the “House of David” stele, the Amarna Letters, and more.
This guide is an exclusive for Knights & Dukes over via the Swagnilla Ice Discord. Stop being told what to think. Start looking at the math.
In my last post on Friday, I talked about my accident and the injuries that I received from it, as well as the excellent care I received from the doctors and nurses at the Royal Alexandria Hospital. Since I am still suffering from a sore and stiff neck from said accident, I figured I would look up some saints to call on and decided to share my findings with you today.
The first saint I want to mention is Saint Ursicinus, who is the patron saint of stiff necks. He was a disciple who followed his abbot into exile from northern France in the seventh century. Here’s a prayer we can use to invoke his intercession:
O Holy Ursicinus, you who know the discomfort and pain of the body, be my swift intercessor. I ask for your prayers, particularly for the relief of this stiffness and soreness in my neck. Ease the tension, quiet the pain, and restore flexibility to my body, so that I may turn my attention fully to God’s will. Amen.
The next saint is St. Gemma Galgani, the patron saint of spinal pain. She developed spinal meningitis at age sixteen but was cured. She claimed it was due to her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She later died young of tuberculosis and was canonized by 1940, and was also declared a Virgin. Here’s a prayer for her intercession for those who are suffering any type of spinal pain:
Dear St. Gemma, you bore immense suffering in your body, yet your faith shone brighter than your pain. Look upon me now as I struggle with the persistent discomfort and stiffness. Through the merit of your own suffering, pray to the Lord to grant me strength, patience, and a miraculous lessening of my burden. Help me to use this cross of pain for the salvation of my soul. Amen.
The next person I am praying to for intercession is Blessed Michael McGivney. Although he is not yet officially a Saint, he was beatified in 2020 after a miracle was attributed to his intercession, and we pray that a second miracle will lead to his canonization. As the founder of the Knights of Columbus, he dedicated his life to practical charity, particularly supporting families who were suffering from the illness or death of a loved one. I call upon Blessed Michael McGivney not just for physical healing, but for the patience and courage needed to endure this lingering recovery.
Here is the prayer we can use to invoke his intercession and support his cause for sainthood:
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Blessed Michael McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor.
Through his intercession, I humbly ask for the favor of my own healing from this persistent neck stiffness and pain.
May the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love, and we humbly ask that you glorify Blessed Michael McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will, granting the miracle needed for his canonization. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The next saint I am seeking intercession from in heaven is Saint Luke, the Evangelist. Before he became an evangelist, he was a physician and is considered the patron saint of doctors and healing today. He also wrote two books of the Bible, the one named after him and the book of Acts. Both were letters to a friend of his, whom he was trying to persuade to become a believer in Jesus. No doubt he took the time to interview the people he wrote about as his physician training would have demanded of him, including Saint Paul, whom he travelled with.
Invocation to St. Luke the Evangelist: St. Luke, beloved physician and faithful Evangelist, I ask for your intercession on behalf of all healers and for my own recovery. Grant wisdom to those who offer me counsel and care, that they may rightly discern the path to my recovery. Pray for the healing of my injury, that I may experience the wholeness which Christ offers to all who seek Him.
Amen.
To round out my list of intercessors, I’m calling upon St. Raphael the Archangel. His name is derived from the Hebrew words Rafa (to heal) and El (God), meaning “God Heals” or “Divine Healer.” He is one of the three Archangels named in scripture and features prominently in the Book of Tobit, where he guides Tobias on a journey and brings about the healing of his father’s blindness. Today, he is widely regarded as the patron of travelers, the sick, and those seeking healing for any physical, mental, or spiritual ailment. Calling upon St. Raphael is a way of asking God Himself to oversee and complete my recovery.
Here is the prayer we can use to invoke his intercession:
Invocation to St. Raphael the Archangel: Holy Archangel Raphael, whose name means ‘God Heals,’ guide me on my journey to recovery. Send the light of heaven to banish all darkness of pain and despair. Guard me from discouragement and lead me to the means of grace that will bring about my restoration. Heal me, O Lord, through the prayers of your faithful Archangel, that I may serve You better.
Amen.
As I continue to cope with the stiffness and soreness in my neck, I find immense comfort in knowing that there are so many powerful intercessors ready to “answer the call.” I humbly ask that you keep me in your prayers, asking God, through the intercession of St. Ursicinus, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Luke, St. Raphael, or Blessed Michael McGivney, to bring about my full healing and recovery. More importantly, let my search be a reminder to all of us: if you or someone you know is suffering—whether from a debilitating injury, chronic pain, or a difficult diagnosis—take a moment to call upon one of these Heavenly advocates. May their prayers bring comfort, hope, and true healing to all who are unwell.
“Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.” ~ Pope Leo I
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read today’s blog post about my favorite charities. In this post, I’ll be dividing them into three main categories: Religious, Health, and Animal charities. In each section, I’ll explain why I choose to support these organizations, and I’ll include a link to their CanadaHelps page so you can donate if you’d like to support them as well.
I’d like to begin with my favorite religious charities. As a Roman Catholic, I support various institutions that guide the faithful both locally and nationally. The first one is my local parish, The Catholic Parish of St. Joseph’s Cathedral (St. Joseph’s Basilica). This is the church I attend for weekly Mass and occasionally on week days. It also serves as the main church of the Archbishop and Metropolitan of Edmonton, which is why it is designated as a Cathedral. Additionally, it holds the status of a Minor Basilica. If you’d like a refresher on the difference between a Minor and Major Basilica, I covered that in a past episode of my podcast—so be sure to check that out!
Another religious charity I’m proud to support is the National Catholic Broadcasting Council. This organization ensures that Catholic Mass is broadcast for those who are unable to attend in person. I’ve personally been blessed by their work—especially during times when I was sick and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting them is the least I can do to show my gratitude for the comfort they provided!
When it comes to health charities, I’m especially passionate about supporting organizations that provide essential resources, fund research, and raise public awareness about health issues. One such organization is Diabetes Canada. While I don’t have diabetes myself, I know people who do, and given my family medical history, it’s something I need to be mindful of. Supporting research and awareness efforts to improve treatment and prevention is a cause I’m more than willing to stand behind!
Movember Canada is another health charity I’m proud to support. Every November, I dedicate time to raising funds for their cause—something I’ve been committed to for the past eleven years. This organization focuses on improving men’s health, both physically and mentally. Having faced my own mental health challenges, I know firsthand how important it is to spread awareness and work toward preventing male suicide. Additionally, Movember funds vital research for male-specific diseases such as prostate and testicular cancer, making their mission even more significant to me.
The final health-related charity might not seem like a traditional health organization, but for me, it has been an absolute lifesaver: Edmonton’s Food Bank. There have been times when I’ve worried about my next meal, and the free groceries I’ve received through their programs have been a huge help. Beyond just food, their Beyond Food program provides training and support to help people secure good jobs. Without the generosity of this organization, I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the past few years when I was without steady work. My support for them is more than gratitude—it’s a commitment to ensuring others have the same lifeline I did.
The final charity I love to support is The Valley Zoo Development Society. As an animal lover, I want what’s best for them, and this society plays a vital role in improving my local zoo by funding enhancements for the animals that live there. They even offer fun merchandise featuring various animals—I’m hoping to get a Meerkat plushie for myself one day! I’ve enjoyed many trips to the zoo, and knowing that my support helps create new experiences for future visits makes it even more rewarding.
Supporting charities is more than just giving—it’s about making a difference in the lives of others, whether through faith-based guidance, life-saving health initiatives, or improving the world for the animals we love. The organizations I’ve shared today have personally impacted my life, and I hope they inspire you too.
Even if you’re not in a position to donate, simply visiting their pages, learning about their missions, and spreading the word can make a huge impact. Every small action helps create a better, more compassionate world.
So, take a moment to explore the links provided and see if any of these causes resonate with you—you might just find a new charity to support!
In the fictional Star Wars universe, the Jedi mantra is the heart and soul of the Jedi Code, by which the Jedi are supposed to live their lives. Some people have taken it as a code to live by their lives, but I strongly believe that the Bible and Catholic teachings show it to be a false road to live your life by. In this blog post, I am going to examine the mantra line by line and compare it to what the Bible and Catholic teaching has to say on each topic.
Let’s begin with the first line of the mantra: “There is no emotion, there is peace.” The Bible makes it very clear that emotions are part of human nature and should NOT be suppressed – managed, yes but never suppressed. Many Psalms express many different emotions, and even Jesus who is both God and man (100% of each) expressed many different emotions during his time on earth. Many of the church fathers also wrote about emotions stating that we need to control and deal with them and not suppress them to truly live a life worthy of God. Anakin’s fall during the third movie shows what happens when we try to suppress them, and why it’s such a bad idea to do so!
Now let’s examine the next line: “There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.” Once again, the Bible makes it clear that learning is key to overcoming ignorance, and that the fear of God leads to true wisdom. In the letters of the New Testament, the writers made it perfectly clear that knowledge was gained by studying under wise teachers and obeying them was the will of God. Philosophy can only take you so far, you need to be grounded in real-world knowledge and God’s ageless wisdom to truly see the path for your life!
Onto the next line in the mantra: “There is no passion, there is serenity.” Just from reading this, I am laughing with sadness like I have for every other line so far! Passion is part of human existence and the Bible and Catholic teaching makes it clear that harnessing your passions will take you farther than ignoring them! Many Catholic saints were driven by the passion for their faith to become the people they are remembered as today. I’ve been doing a series on Catholic saints for my podcast over on Spotify, and I can say for certain that passion for Christ was a part of every saint’s life story!
The second last line of the mantra is just as bad: “There is no chaos, there is harmony.” I hate to break the news to you, but life is full of chaos and the Bible makes it clear that trying to live in harmony is something to be obtained for here on Earth, but is ultimately a part of Heaven. Only by living your life for God can you start to use the chaos in your life for something good and start to manage it effectively.
In my humble opinion the last line of the mantra is the worst: “There is no death, there is the Force.” The Bible makes it pretty clear that death will come and after it comes judgement. Also, the dead can not come back and warn the living to change their ways, as the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in the Gospels makes very clear! Repent today and turn to God before it’s too late!
Let me be quite clear – the Force is completely a work of fiction by George Lucas and should not be taken seriously! Force ghosts do not exist (I won’t say if real ghosts exist – that’s why the Church has cleansing rites for places.) and you should not hope to become one after your death! It is final and you will pass on to either judgement in hell for rejecting God or eventual eternal rest in Heaven after being cleansed in Purgatory. There is no third option!
Take a good look at what the Bible and the Catholic Church teaches today – both offer real truths about our world and the way to live life in harmony with God and your fellow humans and nature. Don’t be caught by the false promises of this mantra – I’ve shown you earlier how false each line is! Turn to God today and accept his free gift of salvation – all you need to do is accept!
In this exploration, we’ve seen how the Jedi mantra falls short of offering true hope and guidance compared to the profound truths found in the Bible and Catholic teachings. By turning to God, we can find real peace, wisdom, and purpose—gifts that go far beyond the false promises of fiction. May this post inspire you to seek the ultimate truth and embrace the salvation freely offered through faith in Him.
Greetings everyone! I’m Swagnilla Ice, but you can call me Nathan Pinno. I hail from the beautiful province of Alberta, Canada. Every week, I enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences here on my Ko‑fi page. This week, in celebration of reaching the big 4-0, I thought I’d take a trip down memory lane to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned over the past forty years, and share my aspirations for the future. Join me on this journey as I look back to look forward.
Looking Back: Lessons Learned
As I reflect on my life, there are some clear lessons that stand out. The most significant lesson I’ve learned is the truth about salvation. It’s a constant process that I need to work on daily. Whenever I lose focus on my walk with God, I tend to slip up and make mistakes. However, I’m immensely grateful to have a relationship with a forgiving God who supports me on this journey and walks by my side.
Another lesson I’ve learned is to be grateful for those who support me on my life’s journey. From my parents to good friends, both in real life and online, I’ve been fortunate to have people who encourage and support me. Even when the chips are down, they remind me to look up and not lose hope. I am immensely grateful for each and every one of them, including all those who support my content creation. Thank you!
A hard lesson I’ve learned over the last forty years is the importance of wisely managing my money and sticking to a budget while avoiding debt whenever possible. As a result of this lesson, I’m now enrolled in a program to pay off part of my credit card debt. If I fail to make my monthly payment even three times, serious consequences will follow. To make the most of my money every month, I need to take advantage of every free resource available to me. Given the instability of work, I must be ready to adapt and find ways to make ends meet when I don’t get the hours I need. Your support of my content creation is immensely helpful in this regard.
Another lesson I’ve learned through harsh experiences is that I’m human and mortal. Not only did I nearly die on the operating table during a transplant five years ago, but I also had my appendix removed just before it burst. These events have forced me to evaluate every decision I’ve made in my life and have made me determined to live a cleaner, healthier life, both physically and spiritually. I’m grateful for the resources I have and for my church family and priests—without them, I’d be like a boat lost at sea.
Looking Forward
As I look forward to the next decade of my life, I have several goals I aim to accomplish. The first and most important is to turn my content creation into a steady source of income. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that I can’t rely on an employer to provide consistent work. Your help and support, both financial and otherwise, are crucial for this goal. I aspire to go full-time with content creation, producing material that everyone can enjoy—be it blog posts, live streams, podcast episodes, or YouTube videos. While I’m committed to creating engaging content, I’ll still need to work outside my residence to earn a living without your support.
My second goal is more personal in nature. I want to have more days free of sin. I’ve been struggling with the same sin repeatedly, and it’s time for it to end. With God’s help and your prayers, I believe I can overcome this habit and become the man God wants me to be.
My third goal is to pay off my debt, even though it’s currently on track to be resolved through the program I’m enrolled in and the payments I’m making on my school loans. Once my debt is fully paid, I will avoid using debt to finance anything unless it’s a one-time-use gift card that doesn’t accumulate interest.
My final goal is to find stable housing—whether by buying my own home or buying/building an apartment building and renting out the other suites. This is a long-term goal since I’m currently in a year-long lease that expires next December, but it’s not cheap at $900 per month. Not having to worry about rent every month and potentially earning some rental income instead would be a huge relief for my financial situation.
Conclusion
To wrap up this post, let me say that I’ve learned many lessons over the past forty years—too many to list here. I’ve gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge over the years, but I am still willing to learn from those wiser than me. I have clear goals for the next decade of my life, and hopefully, when I write a similar post at fifty, I’ll have even better news to share about my goals and accomplishments. If God allows me to reach my fiftieth birthday, I look forward to reflecting on another decade of growth and learning.
Thank you so much for reading this blog post. Your support here on Ko‑fi (as well as YouTube, Spotify, and Twitch) means the world to me! Please consider supporting me monthly to gain access to exclusive polls and images, and to help me create more posts like this one and other content you will enjoy. May God bless you all!
Love is often described as the cornerstone of a successful relationship. Yet, when it comes to building a family, true love serves as an even more profound foundation. As we reflect on Valentine’s Day and the significance it holds, it’s important to consider how true love shapes and nurtures the bonds that hold a family together.
I’m no expert, as I’m not married myself, but I did grow up in a household with two married parents who are still married today. Their love and commitment have shown me the power of true love and its role in creating a strong, supportive family.
The Essence of True Love
True love transcends the superficial layers of attraction and infatuation. It is the unconditional commitment to another person’s well-being and happiness. In the context of a family, true love involves the selfless acts of kindness, support, and sacrifice that create a nurturing environment for everyone involved.
Building Trust and Communication
One of the key elements of true love is trust. Trust is the bedrock upon which strong family relationships are built. When family members trust each other, they feel secure and supported, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings openly. Effective communication further strengthens these bonds, allowing for healthy conflict resolution and mutual understanding.
Fostering Emotional Resilience
Families face numerous challenges, from financial pressures to health issues. True love equips family members with the emotional resilience needed to navigate these difficulties together. By standing by each other through thick and thin, family members develop a sense of unity and strength that helps them overcome any obstacle.
Biblical Examples of True Love
The Bible offers profound examples of true love that can inspire and guide us in our family relationships. One of the most significant examples is God’s love for humanity. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This ultimate act of sacrificial love serves as a model for the selflessness and commitment we should strive for within our families.
Another example is the love between Ruth and Naomi. Ruth’s loyalty and dedication to her mother-in-law, even after the loss of her husband, demonstrate the power of unwavering love and support. Ruth 1:16-17 captures this beautifully: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.”
Modeling Healthy Relationships
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in modeling true love for their children. When children witness their parents exhibiting genuine affection, respect, and partnership, they learn valuable lessons about what it means to love and be loved. These lessons become the foundation upon which children build their own future relationships.
Creating a Legacy of Love
True love within a family extends beyond the immediate household. It creates a ripple effect that influences future generations. By fostering an environment of love, trust, and support, families can create a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit their descendants for years to come.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Valentine’s Day, let us remember that true love is not just about grand gestures and romantic moments. It is about the everyday acts of kindness, patience, and understanding that build a solid foundation for a family. For a deeper exploration of this theme, you can listen to my podcast episode on the Sacrament of Matrimony, where I discuss how the sacrament strengthens family bonds and exemplifies true love. In nurturing true love within our families, we create a haven of warmth and security where every member can thrive.
Welcome to the final post in my mini-series on the People of the First Christmas. Today, I’ll be focusing on the Magi, also known as the Wise Men or, less accurately, as the Three Kings. Contrary to popular Nativity scenes, the Magi were not present at the stable on that first Christmas night. Instead, they visited Jesus in a house when He was about two years old, bringing their gifts and worship.
Before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to explain just who the Magi were and were not. The word “Magi” is a translation of a Greek word that referred to the astrologer-priests of Zoroastrianism, a religion in what is now modern-day Iran, but was known as Persia in ancient times. They were experts in observing the skies and predicting future events, both through their interpretations of celestial phenomena and their studies of religious texts—both their own and those of other cultures. They likely had heard of prophecies such as Balaam’s in Numbers or Isaiah’s, both of which referred to celestial signs about the King of the Jewish People.
So when they saw the sign of a bright new star, they would have understood its significance and decided to follow it to see where it led. This extraordinary event aligned with the prophecies they had studied, such as Balaam’s words in Numbers 24:17, “A star will come out of Jacob,” and Isaiah 60:3, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Recognizing the importance of this celestial sign, the Magi embarked on a long and arduous journey, driven by their desire to honor the newborn King of the Jews.
Now, before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to pose a question: When we see a sign in our lives, are we ready to show such faith and follow God, or do we resist because we are living a comfortable life and don’t want to change anything? It’s something worth pondering!
The visit of the Magi is described in the second chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The passage tells us that wise men from the East came to Jerusalem during the time of King Herod, seeking the child who had been born king of the Jews. They explained, “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
King Herod, disturbed by this news, gathered the chief priests and scribes to inquire where the Messiah was to be born. They referenced the prophecy: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Herod then secretly met with the Magi to determine the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with instructions to find the child and report back to him under the pretense that he too wanted to pay homage.
The Magi followed the star to the place where it stopped over the house where Jesus was. Overwhelmed with joy, they entered and saw the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down, paid him homage, and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another route.
After the Magi left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. This fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
Unfortunately, Herod did not react kindly to the Magi’s decision not to report back to him about the child’s location. Knowing the timeframe in which the star had appeared to them, he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to kill every child aged two or younger. This horrific act fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah, which spoke of Rachel weeping for her children because they were no more.
Now, what can we learn from this bit of biblical history? I think we can learn quite a bit! First off, we see that the Magi were humble in asking the people of Jerusalem where the Messiah was to be born and then following the directions given to them. Do we show such humility by asking for help when we need it, or do we let our pride get in the way and refuse to ask?
Secondly, the Magi were devoted and wise because they paid homage to a child living in a humble home with his parents. They recognized greatness even without the earthly trappings of such. Are we willing to overlook what the world sees in others, or are we only looking skin-deep at our fellow human beings? As believers, I hope it is more of the former and not the latter!
Third, the gifts they gave Him were prophetic in nature. Gold symbolized royalty, signifying that He was the King of Kings. Frankincense, used in Temple worship, revealed His nature as our High Priest. Myrrh, a spice used to bury the dead, foretold His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we offer a gift to someone else, does it hold such meaning as well, or is it merely given because it’s customary, and we want to appear nice?
Finally, their visit led directly and indirectly to the fulfillment of several prophecies, including God’s calling His Son out of Egypt and the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem. While we can see today that it was all part of a larger divine plan, it must have been terrifying for Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus to flee for their lives into Egypt to escape the mad King Herod. When we look back at our own lives, can we see God at work, or do we attribute events to coincidence or fate?
In conclusion, the story of the Magi is more than just a tale of a journey guided by a star. It’s a testament to faith, humility, devotion, and the fulfillment of divine prophecies. As we reflect on their story, let’s be inspired to seek guidance with humility, give with meaningful intention, and recognize the divine workings in our own lives. May we always be ready to follow the signs God places before us, trusting in His greater plan.
Thank you for reading another blog post on my Ko‑fi page. I enjoy writing these posts each week, and your support for my writing and other family-friendly content is greatly appreciated, whether it’s financial or otherwise. Until the next time I post here, go live on Twitch, publish a podcast episode, or release a video on YouTube, may God bless you all!