About those camels, we’re not too sure about them. Yes, every nativity scene shows the magi seated on stately dromedaries, or leading their beasts of burden by bit and rein. But, quite honestly, the story of the Magi never tells us how they got there. They could have traveled on foot, in chariot, by camel, on horseback, even on an elephant-we just don’t know.

The reason we keep putting them on camels in our art is because of Isaiah’s prophecy. He predicted that caravans of camels would fill Jerusalem, and that people from the East would come bearing gold and frankincense. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!” he proclaims. “Your light has come.”

In Matthew’s story the Magi realize that Jerusalem’s light has come. They follow the star and bring their gifts of gold and frankincense-myrrh, too. By telling about these gifts, Matthew turns our attention back to Isaiah. Reading that prophecy, we realize that the light Isaiah mentioned is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

When we see the Magi seated on camels, we are remembering Isaiah. When we remember Isaiah, we remember the light that came to shatter the darkness of our world. Those camels carry hope.