Then they opened their treasures 
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 
they departed for their country by another way.    –  Matthew 2: 12

Even the strongest, most faithful believer has struggles with faith. All of us doubt.  All of us fail to recognize grace. In our inattentiveness, we may resort to anger and allow fear to distance ourselves from the divine.

Yet we must keep trying. We must keep urging on, choosing the road that leads to the place where the Child lies hid. We must keep seeking Emmanuel, born in us each day.

Let us open our gifts, and present the only thing we really have to share: our very heart. And, aware of having encountered that life-changing holiness, let us do as the Magi did: let it lead us home by another way.