I’ve been thinking a lot about magic recently.  It started with this insanely cool card trick the magician pictured here performed for my little girl.  I do not often associate the word “magic” with perhaps its original intent.  The etymology of words has always interested me, and I was surprised to learn the Magi (the Three Kings, or Wise Men who followed the Star of Bethlehem to pay homage to the Messiah) were regarded as magicians.  The singular “magnus” was borrowed from the Old French in the late 14th century, meaning magician.  It makes sense that they were said to have practiced astronomy and astrology, although those studies are not considered to be part of Christianity today.  Saint Matthew is the only of the four canonical gospels to mention them.  Today is Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Christ in most Western Christian churches.  Here is where I confess I dislike the definition of magic as a noun, which says it is the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.  As a Christian, in no way do I believe the Magi influenced the events which led to the conception and birth of Jesus Christ.  I feel much closer to the definition of magic as an adjective, which says it is something wonderful and exciting.  In life there are always believers, skeptics, and non-believers.  I do not believe in aliens and I am a skeptic of “magic” because I know it involves sleight of hand, distraction, illusion, etc.  That still does not mean I do not enjoy it.  The trick this guy did for our little one was incredible!  But I DO still believe in magic … that is to say the power of excitement and wonder.  I like that there are things we do not understand or cannot explain.  Hence why I truly believe in miracles.  I chose to put this column under faith for a reason.  I have found people put their faith in SOMEthing whether they realize it or not … be it religion or even their certainty that religion does not exist.  My husband likes to believe in Big Foot.  I believe he enjoys myths and legends.  Everyone thought Atlantis was a myth; now they think it may have been discovered.  Noah’s Ark is believed to have been found.  Some of the same holy sites have been designated as sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike.  There are many things we have not seen in our time:  the Annunciation of Mary, Christ’s resurrection from the dead, etc.  That is where, at some point, faith must come in.  I really love that the Church refers to things which cannot be tangibly explained as “The Holy Mysteries.”  It’s OK not to have all the answers.  Personally, I do not want to stop seeking the wonder and magic in life.  The great Hungarian-born American illusionist Harry Houdini himself is quoted as having said, “I am a great admirer of mystery and magic.  Look at this life — all mystery and magic.”