December 2019: New Paths

I was recently leaving the campus from an evening concert presented by our students, and experienced the long line of cars waiting at the red light of Manor Avenue and Philadelphia Pike. (You can no longer make a right-turn-on-red legally at the intersection, making the line of cars even longer and slower than in the past.) Leaving the campus, I turned left onto Manor Avenue and then made a right down Palace Avenue to Governor Printz Boulevard, where I had the option to turn right to the Philadelphia Pike or left to travel home by a different route. I have made this drive many times over the years, and have always wanted to share this “alternative route” with new parents and students of Archmere. It relieves the congestion (and stress) of the Manor Avenue intersection, and it offers different options of getting to and from the Archmere campus.

In thinking about this strategy after the Christmas concert, the idea took on new meaning as I also reflected on a recent conversation I had with our Assistant Director of Facilities, Mr. Dan Lutz about the journey of the Magi. He shared with me that in his church, the pastor does not want the Magi to appear in the Nativity scene, since historically they probably did not arrive until much later. I shared with him the story of my aunt, who used to have her Nativity scene set up on her dining room buffet table with the stable and Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and animals at one end, and the Magi at the other end. Each day from Christmas to Epiphany, she would move the Magi figures a little closer to the manger scene – a good attempt to express the journey of the Magi and the passage of time, but perhaps still not historically accurate.

 

I really like the last line of Luke’s account of the visit of the Magi: “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” (Luke 2:12) So, how did the Magi depart “by another way?” Did they just use the GPS of the stars in the heavens to follow a safer route home or did “another way” mean that they were changed by the experience of meeting the Christ? For historians, the phrase might be a clue to recreate the journey of the Magi using an ancient map of the Holy Land. For theologians, the phrase might mean a transformative moment in the hearts and minds of these powerful leaders. I would like to think it is the latter, which is why putting the Magi in the Nativity scene may be historically inaccurate, but it is profoundly impactful to see “kings” bowing before the image of Christ as a new-born child. 

 

Each Christmas, I like to think that I leave the Nativity scene by “another way.” Whether it is appreciating my family and friends more, acknowledging my shortcomings more honestly, feeling inspired to take on another challenge, I believe that Christmas brings us the grace to look excitedly into another year. May you be inspired and enriched by the celebration of Christmas, and may the New Year bring you exciting moments, wonderful experiences, and new paths that lead to peace and contentment. 

 

P.S. And for those parents, students, and alumni visiting Archmere for a major event, remember my “tip” and consider leaving campus by another route!