Virtual Nativity - Dream of the Magi
A carving on a column in Saint-Lazare Cathedral, France depicts the Magi being visited by an angel. Three crowned figures are shown together under a large, round cover. Two of them are still asleep, but the third has been woken by the gentle touch of the angel who is pointing the star out to him.
It was carved by a man named Gislebertus, the greatest sculptor of his period. His name is known because on one of his carvings he put the words ‘Gislebertus hoc fecit’ – [Gislebertus made this]. The work was carried out between 1125 and 1135.
In celebrating the birth of Christ, we tend to stop with the Magi offering their gifts to the Christ child. However, there is further action with more warnings from angels that provoke journeys.
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.”
Matthew 2.12
The Salzburg Missal, a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year, consists of five volumes. Housed in the Bavarian State Library, it is among the most lavishly ornate, and probably the most costly, medieval missal in the world. The first volume includes the three holy masses:
the birth of Christ on 25th December;
the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ on 1st January;
and the feast of Epiphany on 6th January.
An illuminated letter from the Missal, dated from about 1480, portrays the Magi dreaming of the holy archangel who warned them to flee home by a different route. Having guided the Magi to the Christ child, God did not then abandon them. He made sure they returned home safely, away from the angry plotting of Herod.